Food business permits

Learn how to get a new food business permit, renew an existing permit, or submit construction plans for retail food businesses.

King County issues food business permits for local businesses and community feeding programs. We also review and approve construction plans for retail food businesses, such as:

A permanent food business operates at the same location for more than 21 consecutive days. Examples of permanent food businesses are restaurants, coffee shops, cafeterias, delis, grocery stores, school kitchens, and some Donated Food Distributing Organization (DFDOs).

Mobile food businesses include food carts, trailers, trucks, and food kiosks. Business owners must submit plans for review and approval. This needs to happen before construction, remodeling, or change of ownership.

A temporary food business operates at the same location for less than 21 days, for a single event or celebration (WAC 246-215-01115(124)(a)(b)). Temporary food businesses operate at events such as fairs, festivals, fundraisers, farmer markets, concert series, sporting events, circuses, carnivals, and conventions.

Farmers or their representatives can sell the food they produce to consumers.

You must have a permit to prepare and serve food for private parties and events in King County. A catering operation means a person who contracts with a client to prepare a specific menu and amount of food in an approved food establishment for service to the client's guests or customers at a different location.

These are businesses such as wine, beer, and distillery tasting rooms.

Washington State Department of Agriculture regulates these operations.

Certain food operations and bake sales do not need permits. These have low risk of causing foodborne illness.

This is the plan review submittal cover sheet for a Micro-Market (Unattended Retail). A micromarket is an unmanned retail space where individuals can purchase food and beverages. For instructions on submitting, please contact the Plan Reviewer at 206-263-9566 or 206-477-8050.