Starting a food business: List of important external agencies
To sell any food or beverage, you need to contact several agencies to find out what you need to do. Most agencies have an information specialist who can answer your specific questions. Which agencies you need to contact will depend on your particular business. When in doubt, call the agency.
Public Health Food Plans Examiners and administrative offices
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Questions about Food Service Plans ONLY, (Plans Examiners cannot respond to questions about Temporary Event Permits or Farmers Markets.) Contact the Plans Examiner serving the area of King County where your food establishment is located as noted below.
- For food establishments in the City of Seattle:
- Sid Forman, Health & Environmental Investigator, 206-263-8531
- Patrick Murphy, Health & Environmental Investigator, 206-263-8484
Environmental Health Division
401 - 5th Avenue, Suite 1100
Seattle, WA 98104-2333
- For food establishments in Unincorporated East King County, North & Eastside suburban cities:
- Mike Bratcher, Health & Environmental Investigator, 206-296-9741
- For food establishments in Unincorporated South King County, South King County suburban cities:
- Diane Agasid, Health & Environmental Investigator, 206-296-9750
Additional phone numbers:
- Food Establishment Permits: 206-205-4394
- Food Worker Permit Information: 206-296-4791
- For Temporary Food Permits call your district health office where your food establishment is located.
Washington State Liquor Control Board
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Permits are needed to sell any alcoholic beverage. An information packet for license application is available at 360-664-1600. Washington State Liquor Control Board, Seattle Office
2101 6th Ave
Seattle, WA 98101 You may need to contact your local building department to discuss issues such as zoning and building occupancy requirements, plan review, inspections, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, ventilation, etc.
Street usage requirements
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For issues involving street use permits for mobile food carts and sidewalk cafes:
- City of Seattle
Street Use Division
Seattle Municipal Tower
700 5th Ave, Suite 2300
Seattle, WA 98104
206-684-5253
- Unincorporated King County
King County Property Services
King County Administration Building, 5th Floor
500 4th Ave
Seattle, WA 98104
206-296-7456
- Suburban Cities and Towns in King County
Look in the Blue Pages of the telephone book for your city (can be found under City Hall, City Clerk, etc.) or, if unavailable, contact the King County Building Department at 206-296-6600. You may also click the link above for a linked directory to suburban city websites.
- City of Seattle
Seattle Public Utilities
Seattle Municipal Tower
700 5th Ave, Suite 4900
Seattle, WA 98104
206-684-3000
- Suburban Cities and Towns in King County
Contact your local sewer district.
- Septic Tanks
If your food business will be on a septic tank, you will need approval from the King County Sewage Review Board. Call our Eastgate Public Health Office at 206-296-4920 for assistance.
For fire prevention, plan review, inspections, etc. contact your local Fire Marshal:
- City of Seattle
Fire Department
229 3rd Ave. S.
Seattle, WA 98104
206-386-1443
- Unincorporated King County
King County Building Department
900 Oaksdale Ave. SW
Renton, WA 98055
206-296-6600
For new construction, call: 206-296-6615
- Suburban Cities and Towns in King County
Look in the Blue Pages of the telephone book for your city (can be found under City Hall, City Clerk, etc.) or, if unavailable, contact the King County Building Department at 206-296-6600.
Business licensing agencies
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