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Mobile food service business permit
Learn how to get a new mobile food business permit, renew an existing permit, or change ownership of a mobile food service business.
What is a mobile food business?
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.
How to get a new mobile food business permit
See in-depth guidance for submitting your food plan review application and application to operate: How to Apply for a Permanent or Mobile Food Service Business Permit Online (1.8 MB)
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Mobile food service plan guide
Review the Mobile Food Unit Plan Review and Permitting Guide (2.47 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.
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Submit your mobile plan review application in the Public Health Permit Center
Once you complete your final business plans, you will need to submit them for review along with the Plan Review Application through the Public Health Permit Center.
View instructions for submitting a mobile food plan review application online.
The following 2 documents will need to be printed, filled out, and uploaded to your online application.
- Use of Commissary Agreement (247 KB)
- Use of Restroom Agreement (350 KB)
If you can’t submit online, please complete and mail in the above 2 documents, and the 4 documents below:
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Monitor application and respond to questions
Monitor your email and your application in the Public Health Permit Center, responding to any questions or comments from your plan reviewer. Once the plans have been stamped and approved, the Plans Examiner will email the approval letter and supporting documents to you.
Note: Due to current application volumes, it may take up to 4-6 weeks for a Plan Reviewer to complete an initial review.
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Submit the application to operate and pay your operating fee in the Public Health Permit Center
Using the information from your approval letter, apply for and submit an operating permit application and pay the operating fee in the Public Health Permit Center.
The operating permit fee is separate from the Plan Review fee that was initially paid when the equipment floor plans, equipment list, menu and documents were submitted.
If you prefer to complete a paper form, submit the Application to operate a mobile food unit/commissary (229 KB)
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Schedule a Pre-operational inspection
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.
Submit your completed Pre-operational inspection checklist (1.4 MB) to your Plans Examiner.
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.
How to renew an existing mobile food business permit
Use the Public Health Permit Center to renew an existing mobile food business permit.
How to request a change to an existing mobile food business
Use the Public Health Permit Center to request the below changes for existing permitted mobile food businesses:
Change of:
- Business name (DBA). Note that operating permits are NOT transferrable to new ownership.
- Commissary kitchen
If you prefer a paper form, complete the Application for a change of ownership permit and mail it.
Employee requirements
- Food Worker Card
All employees of a food business must get a Washington State Food Worker Card. You can take the class and test online or go to any of our in-person classes. - Meat cutter license
If you cut fresh beef, veal, lamb and/or pork, you will need to pass an exam to get a meat cutter license along with the food worker card exam. - MAST / alcohol server permits, Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board
Anyone who serves, mixes, sells, or supervises the sale of alcohol at a business with a liquor license must take the Mandatory Alcohol Server Training (MAST).
Resources
- Cook Chill - Reduced Oxygen Packaging application checklist (264 KB)
- Dried Fermented - Cured Meats application checklist (171 KB)
- Smoking for Preservation - Cured Meats application checklist (169 KB)
- Sous Vide - Reduced Oxygen Packaging application checklist (264 KB)
- Vacuum Packaging - Reduced Oxygen Packaging application checklist (265 KB)
- Request for variance from the food code (105 KB)
- Risk levels and permit classifications
- Risk-based inspection program (210 KB)
- Outdoor dining permits in Seattle city limits
- Washington State Retail Food Code
- Important agency contacts
- King County Board of Health codes