Food permits
- Serving food to the public (restaurant, café, food truck, caterer): food establishment permit from your local health department.
- Making packaged food for wholesale or retail stores: WSDA Food Processor License, which requires an approved commercial kitchen.
- Home-based, low-risk foods (baked goods, jams, dry mixes): WSDA Cottage Food Permit. No foods that need refrigeration.
- Cottage food sales must be made directly to consumers in Washington. You can take orders online, but you can't ship products or sell wholesale.
- Cottage food has an annual gross sales cap — $35,000 after a 2024 increase. Confirm the current cap with WSDA.
- Serving alcohol requires a license from the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board.
Local health department requirements
- Contact your county or city health department first. Requirements and fees differ by county (for example, King County vs. Snohomish or Spokane).
- Food establishment permits are usually annual and require passing inspections.
- Every person who handles unpackaged food needs a Washington Food Worker Card. The online course costs about $10, and the first card is valid for two years.
- Temporary events (farmers markets, fairs) usually need a separate temporary event permit.
- Your health department follows the Washington State Retail Food Code (WAC 246-215).
Facility permits
- New or remodeled food establishments usually need health department plan review before building or opening.
- Building, plumbing, electrical, and occupancy permits come from your city or county.
- Check zoning before signing a lease — not every location allows food service.
- Commercial kitchens often need a grease interceptor and approval from your sewer utility.
- Fire department permits may apply to cooking hoods and suppression systems.
- Shared or commissary kitchens can be an option for food trucks and caterers who can't build their own.
These are Washington state and federal requirements. Cities and counties often add their own. Requirements and fees change — confirm with the agency before you apply. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.
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