Permits
Restaurants and other food establishments that serve food to the public have a role to play in keeping people healthy and safe from foodborne illnesses. We work with food establishments to make sure their facilities are safe for preparing and selling food.
- Businesses, events, community meals, and farmers market booths must have a permit to operate. You can find forms and application materials below.
- Community meals and food distributions sites need to be approved to operate.
- Wholesale food processing businesses and cottage food businesses are regulated by the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Contact them for more details.
- New or Remodeled Food Businesses
- New Food Truck or Mobile Food Vending
- Changing Ownership
- Farmers Market Vendors
- Fairs, Festivals, Fundraisers, & Other Events
- Community Meals & Food Donations
New or Remodeled Food Businesses
To start a new food business or remodel one, you'll need to submit a food establishment plan review application.
Approval Process
Food business approval is a three-step process:
- Plan Review. Submit your application packet to us for review. We review the menu, equipment plan, and food preparation methods to make sure they follow the Washington State rules for food safety. We will work with you until plans are approved. The initial review usually takes about two (2) weeks.
- Submit an annual operating permit application. Once your plans are approved, you must apply for your annual food establishment permit (your annual operating permit) and pay all fees.
- Pre-operational Inspection. After your plans are approved and all permit fees are paid, we will schedule an inspection. This pre-operational inspection ensures that equipment is working properly and is installed as shown in your approved plans.
Be sure to also contact local building and planning departments about their separate review and permit processes.
Forms & Application Materials
New Food Truck or Mobile Food Vending
To operate a new food truck or other mobile food unit, you will first need to submit a mobile unit plan review application packet.
Most mobile food businesses must use a commissary to store, prepare, or package food for the mobile unit.
Approval Process
Follow these steps to get approval for your mobile food business:
- Submit your application for review. We review the menu, equipment plan, and food preparation methods. We will work with you until plans are approved. The initial review usually takes about 2 weeks.
- Submit an annual operating permit application. Once your plans are approved, you must apply for your annual food service establishment permit (annual operating permit) and pay all fees.
- Schedule an inspection after plans are approved and all permit fees are paid. This inspection ensures that equipment is working properly and is installed as shown in your approved plans.
Forms & Application Materials
- Annual Food Permit Application (PDF)
- Catering Establishment Packet
- Change of Commissary Packet (PDF)
- Commissary Agreement (PDF)
- Food Equipment Requirement Chart (PDF)
- Method of Food Prep Chart - Mobile / Push Cart (PDF)
- Mobile Unit Packet (PDF)
- Pushcart Packet (PDF)
- Pre-operational Inspection Checklist (PDF)
Changing Ownership
If you are a new owner of an existing food business, you'll need to complete a change of ownership packet. An operating permit for a food establishment is not transferred from one owner to the next.
It takes about 2 weeks to review your application after you submit it. It may take longer if you are making changes to the menu, equipment, or building.
Forms & Application Materials
Farmers Market Vendors
Most farmers market food vendors must have a permit to operate. Application materials are not available on our website. Call us at 360-778-6000, email us, or visit us at 509 Girard Street, Bellingham to speak with an inspector about permits for selling food at farmers markets.
Fairs, Festivals, Fundraisers, & Other Events
Fairs, festivals, special events, and non-profit fundraisers that serve food are called temporary food establishments. If the event is open to the public or if guests are charged for food, you must apply for a temporary food establishment permit.
- Temporary food establishment permits must be submitted to our office at least two (2) weeks before the event. Applications received less than two (2) weeks in advance may be denied.
- Permits cost approximately $29 to $173, depending on the complexity of the menu and how long the event will last.
Forms & Application Materials
- Temporary Event - Multiple Event - Mobile - Packet (PDF)
- Temporary Event - Multiple Event - Permanent Building - Packet (PDF)
- Temporary Event - Single Event Packet (PDF)
- Temporary Event - Waiver Packet (PDF)
- Seafood Waiver
- Checklist for Temporary Food Operations (PDF)
- Event Coordinator’s Checklist (PDF)
- Exemptions from Permit Requirements (PDF)
- Food Demonstrator Permit (PDF)
- Northwest Washington Fair Food Vendor Packet (PDF)
Community Meals & Food Donations
- Community meals, soup kitchens, and food banks must have permits to operate.
- We usually waive permit fees for free community meals for people in need.
- We’ll work with you to help make sure the facility you use has all the equipment you need to serve safe food. Call us at 360-778-6000 or email us with questions.
Applications
Get an application packet (PDF) for a free community meal or food donation program.