Mobile food businesses include food carts, trailers, and trucks as well as food kiosks. Mobile food business owners must submit plans for review before construction, remodeling, or changing ownership takes place.
Food and Facilities Program
401 - 5th Ave., Suite 1100
Seattle, WA 98104
Phones:
Plan review questions:
Review the Mobile Food Unit Plan Review and Permitting Guide (1.3 MB). This guide is for businesses that serve food from food vehicles, espresso carts, and kiosks*. It includes a checklist of items you will need to include in your final mobile food service plans. The checklist will make sure you cover every area of your mobile food business. *Kiosks without permanent plumbing may require a variance. Please contact us at 206-263-7833 or ehfoodandfacilitiesplan@kingcounty.gov for more information.
If you can’t submit online, please complete and mail in the above 4 documents, and the 2 documents below to:
Environmental Health Food Protection Program
Contact the Plan Reviewer at 206-263-9566 or ehfoodandfacilitiesplan@kingcounty.gov for current fee information and how to pay the permit fee.
Contact the plan reviewer to schedule a Pre-operational inspection at least 1 week in advance before your food business will open. Refer to the Pre-operational inspection checklist for details. Download the Pre-operational inspection checklist (56 KB) The food establishment operating permit will be approved and issued after a successful completion of a Pre-operational inspection. A Pre-operational inspection is required before starting operations. Opening without completing a Pre-operational inspection may result in closure of the business and fees, including 50% of the annual permit fee.
If you operate a mobile food unit in another Washington county, you can apply for a mobile food permit in King County and skip the plan review fee by using this application:
If you are looking for a commissary kitchen to meet the needs of your food business, visit our page to search for approved commissary kitchens at kingcounty.gov/commissary
This service is provided to make it easier for caterers, mobile food unit operators and other food businesses to find rental kitchen spaces to prepare food and beverages at a lower cost than having to own your own establishment.
How to renew an existing mobile food business permit
If you are renewing an existing food business permit (with no changes to ownership, facility, or menu) you can use the online services portal.
How to change ownership
When changing ownership of an existing mobile food business, the original owner does not receive any refund of paid permit fees. New owners must submit menu, operational plans, use of commissary form, use of restroom agreement. and apply for a permit to operate.
These applications can only be mailed in, not submitted online. Please complete the application for change of ownership permit (466 KB) and mail it in with payment. Make checks payable to SKCDPH.
Public Health – Seattle & King County
401 5th Avenue, Suite 1100
Seattle, WA 98104