Who needs a food establishment permit in Washington?
Issued by Your local health jurisdiction, under the state food code (WAC 246-215), at step 4 of 6 in the opening sequence: get the permits for your kind of business.
Washington’s Department of Health writes the food code and the local health jurisdictions permit and inspect. Submit the plan review with the menu, floor plan and equipment list before building out, pass the pre-opening inspection, then post the permit. Restaurants, bars, coffee shops, bakeries and ice cream shops are all food establishments under the code.
Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.
Step 4 of 6: Get the permits for your kind of business
1Set up the business
2Register for tax
3Approve the space
4Get the permits for your kind of business
5Alcohol permits
6Before the first hire
Issued by Your local health jurisdiction, under the state food code (WAC 246-215).
Sources and dates
Department of Health food business pages; WAC 246-215 (food service); Public Health Seattle and King County food and facilities program fees for 2026; King County Board of Health Code Title 5. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
Yes. Washington’s Department of Health writes the food code and the local health jurisdictions permit and inspect.
Yes. Washington’s Department of Health writes the food code and the local health jurisdictions permit and inspect.
Yes. Washington’s Department of Health writes the food code and the local health jurisdictions permit and inspect.
Yes. Washington’s Department of Health writes the food code and the local health jurisdictions permit and inspect.
Yes. Washington’s Department of Health writes the food code and the local health jurisdictions permit and inspect.
Yes. Washington’s Department of Health writes the food code and the local health jurisdictions permit and inspect.
Yes. Washington’s Department of Health writes the food code and the local health jurisdictions permit and inspect.
Yes. Washington’s Department of Health writes the food code and the local health jurisdictions permit and inspect.
Yes. Washington’s Department of Health writes the food code and the local health jurisdictions permit and inspect.
No. In Washington it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Washington it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Washington it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Washington it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Washington it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Washington it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Washington it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Washington it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Washington it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Washington it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Washington it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
Your local health jurisdiction, under the state food code (WAC 246-215).
Step 4 of 6, get the permits for your kind of business. The steps before it: set up the business, register for tax and approve the space.
Who needs a food establishment permit in Washington? | DoorWorthy
