How to start a food business in King County
401 - 5th Avenue, Suite 1100
Seattle, Washington 98104
Phone: 206-296-4632
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Types of food establishments |
- Permanent Food Establishments
A permanent food business is an establishment operating at a fixed location for more than twenty-one (21) consecutive days. See required plan submission and application forms in the next sections below to get started.
- Temporary Food Establishments
A temporary food business is an establishment operating at a fixed location for not more than twenty-one (21) consecutive days in conjunction with a single event or celebration or operating not more than 3 days a week in conjunction with a farmers market or recurring organized event.. See required plan review and application forms in the next sections below to get started.
- Mobile Food Establishments
A mobile food service operation includes food carts, espresso carts, food served out of vehicles, retail fishing boats and kiosks. See required plan review and application forms in the next sections below to get started.
- Catering and home-based food establishments
Catering and home-based food businesses need a food service permit to legally prepare and serve food as hired prior to private parties and events in King County. Click on the link above to view information specific to catering establishments and to access all of the required materials to get your business started.
- Farmer's Markets
If you are a farmer's market vendor selling produce in open-air markets or a market coordinator, download the items below as they pertain to your role.
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Exempt foods and low cost plan only foods |
- List of food exempt from permit and plan review
(Note: Exemption from permit and plan review does NOT mean exemption from the Washington State Food Code)
- Temporary Food Service Establishments Requiring "Plan Review Only" Permit -- $25 permit fee
- Foods exempt from the food code and not considered as a food service establishment
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The 3-Step Plan Review process of starting a food business |
Whenever you start a new food service operation or remodel an existing one, there is a 3-part "plan review" process to complete. The first two steps occur before construction begins, and the third step is completed before you can open for business.
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1. FOOD SERVICE PLAN GUIDES
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- Food Service Establishment Plan Guide
The Food Service Establishment Plan Guide is a checklist of items you will need to review and include in your final plans to ensure that you've covered every area of your food business. Use this Plan Guide if you are starting a permanent or catering food service establishment.
- Mobile Food Service Establishment Plan Guide
The Mobile Food Service Plan Guide is similar to the one above except it is specifically tailored for establishments which serve food from food vehicles, espresso carts and kiosks. It includes a checklist of items you will need to review and include in your final plans to ensure that you've covered every area of your food business.
- Temporary Food Service Guidelines
A temporary food service is an establishment operating at a fixed location for not more than twenty-one (21) consecutive days in conjunction with a single event or celebration.
- Farmer's Market Informational Packet
Coordinator's checklists:
- Temporary Food Event – Coordinator’s Checklist
- Farmer's Market/Recurring Event -- Coordinator's Checklist
Additional sources to help you define your Plan Guide:
- List of important agency contacts
You may need to contact several local agencies to find out what you need to do to complete your Food Business Plan including the Fire Department, Building Department, business licensing, liquor permits, sewage hookups, etc. Most agencies have an information specialist who can answer your specific questions. Which agencies you need to contact will depend on your particular business.
- King County Board of Health (BOH) food codes
If you wish to reference the detailed Food Codes for King County, click on the link above and view BOH Titles 5, R5, 6 and R6 as they pertain to food service establishments.
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2. PLAN REVIEW APPLICATION
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- Plan Review Application for Permanent Food Establishment (PDF)
- Plan Review Application for Mobile Food Service Unit (PDF)
Once you complete your final plans of how your establishment will be set up for business according to the Plan Guides in Step 1, you will need to submit them for review along with the Plan Review Application and send them to your designated Food Plans Examiner listed below to get final approval.
There are 3 Food Plans Examiners serving specific areas of Seattle and King County. Choose the one who serves the area where your food establishment is located as listed below.
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3. FOOD SERVICE PERMIT APPLICATION
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- Permanent Food Service Permit Application
After your food plans have been approved by the Plans Examiner, the final step is to apply for your Food Service Permit. Permanent, Mobile Food and Catering businesses use this application. This is the permit that allows you to operate and open for business to the public.
- Temporary Food Service Permit Application
The Temporary Food Service Permit application also contains details about the Temporary Food Service Plan Guide and serves as your plan review application. After you submit it, your Plans Examiner will contact you about the status of approval.
- Farmer's market/recurring event - Temporary Food Service Application
- Retail Fishing Boat Permit Application
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Request for Variance forms (PDF) |
- Request for Variance from the Seattle-King County Food Code
- Request for Variance - Farmer
- Meat, Poultry, Rabbit & Aquatic Foods (MPRAF) Application Variance for Farmers' Market Permit
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Other food business forms and information (PDF) |
- Application for exemption from permit
- Certificate of Destruction and Waiver
- Risk Based Inspection Program - Description of the three different risk type categories that can be assigned to a food service establishment.
- Risk Levels and Permit Classifications - Permits are now based on risk levels determined by type of food and preparation steps. This information will assist you in determining what food permit to apply for and obtain. The more complex the menu and preparation of foods, the higher the risk level, which in turn relates to more frequent inspection of your establishment.
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Food Worker Card, Online Study Manual and Videos |
Before you can serve food in a food establishment, you will need a Food Worker's Card. You must take a class and pass an exam before you earn your card. The class and test take approximately 2 hours to complete and is offered in English, Spanish, Korean, Cantonese, Mandarin, Russian, and Vietnamese.
- Visit the Food Worker Card homepage
Includes the current schedule of locations and times, a checklist of items to take with you, and tips on how to prepare for the class and test.
- Prepare for the Food Worker Card Class and Test
Knowing the facts for food safety ahead of time will help you complete your written test faster.
- Study the written version of "Food Safety is Everybody's Business" available in multiple languages.
- Visit the Food Safety Video Library to watch streaming videos through your Internet browser on "Food Safety Basics for Working Healthy" available in English, Spanish, Korean, Cantonese, Mandarin, Russian, and Vietnamese (approximately 30 minutes each.)
- Study the written version of "Food Safety is Everybody's Business" available in multiple languages.
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Meat Cutter License Process |
If your job requires the cutting of fresh beef, veal, lamb and/or pork within a meat establishment you will need to pass an exam to obtain a personal occupational Meat Cutter license in addition to the Food Worker Permit exam. See schedule of testing dates and locations.
- For establishments within Seattle city limits, call the Downtown Seattle Food Protection Program at 206-296-4632.
- For establishments in South King County, call the Kent Food Protection office at 206-296-4708.
- For establishments in North and East King County, call Bothell Food Protection office at 206-296-9791.
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For questions about Food Service Plans ONLY, contact the Plans Examiner serving the area where your food establishment is located as noted below
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NOTICE: The Environmenal Health Specialists below cannot respond to questions regarding Farmer's Markets or Temporary Event Permits.
- Trish Ryan, Sr. Environmental Health Specialist
For food establishments in the City of Seattle
Environmental Health Division
401 - 5th Avenue, Suite 1100
Seattle, WA 98104-2333
Phone: 206-263-8484
- Diane Agasid-Bondoc, Sr. Environmental Health Specialist
For food establishments in unincorporated South King County and South King County suburban cities
Alder Square Public Health Center
Environmental Health Division
1404 Central Ave. S., Suite 101
Kent, WA 98032
Phone: 206-205-1903
- Mike Bratcher, Sr. Environmental Health Specialist
For food establishments in unincorporated North and East King County, North and East suburban cities
Eastgate Environmental Health
14350 SE Eastgate Way
Bellevue, WA 98007
Phone: 206-296-9741
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| See complete list of food business fees. | ||||||
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Food safety during flooding (PDF):
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For food service operators and employees: Read the Menu Review (PDF)
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Watch streaming videos through your Internet browser on the importance of handwashing and proper food handling practices. | ||||||
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Study Guide for food workers | ||||||
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