Temporary food service business permit

What type of temporary event food permit should I get?

• What kind of food are you serving?

  There are 3 levels of permits based on how complex your food will be:

  • Minimal food handling - Pre-packaged Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS)* food made under permit; no handling of unpackaged food — no sampling.
  • Moderate food handling - Unpackaged TCS* foods and preparation of non-TCS foods; includes sampling; not including raw animal products; reheating commercially made foods (USDA/WSDA); hot holding; no cooling.
  • Complex food handling - Food cooked from raw animal products; serving raw animal products; cooling steps – any foods cooked and cooled in a prep-kitchen.

  *Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) foods include meat, poultry, cooked starches, sliced melons, sprouts, fresh herb and garlic-in-oil mixtures, dairy products, cut leafy greens, cut tomatoes, and cooked produce.

• Are you going to one event or will you go to more than one event or market in a year?

  Use these guidelines to determine which permit category is best for your business for the year. We are not able to change permit category after your selection. If you select the wrong permit category, we will refund the permit fee charge (minus $25 processing fee). You will need to reapply for the correct permit category.

  If one event, you should buy a single event permit

  • Submit an application and receive a permit for event.
  • Receive an approval for each permit.

  Minimal temporary food permit (single event)

  No Certified Booth Operator required.

  • You only offer prepackaged TCS foods.
    • All foods are packaged.
    • No sampling of unpackaged foods.

  Moderate temporary food permit (single event)

  • May apply for additional single permits at any time.
  • No Certified Booth Operator required.

  Complex temporary food permit (single event)

  • May apply for additional single permits at any time.
  • No Certified Booth Operator required.

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  ➜ If more than one event or market, consider these options:

  Minimal unlimited temporary food permit

  • Can attend unlimited number of events and markets until the end of the calendar year.
  • Location information required for first event; notification not required for additional events.
  • No Certified Booth Operator required.
  • You only offer prepackaged TCS foods.
    • All foods are packaged.
    • No sampling of unpackaged foods.

  Multiple permit and unlimited permit - voluntary incentive program

  For moderate and complex food handling permits, you can get a permit package that rewards safe food handling with reduced fees. Multiple and unlimited permit packages are valid only in the calendar year purchased. If you want to apply for a permit package, you must have a valid Certified Booth Operator (CBO) card (see training schedule above). If an event is before the class, you must apply for a single permit.

  • Multiple permit package - 5 events
    • Requires a Certified Booth Operator (additional food safety education) for the business.
    • Allows attendance at up to 5 events and markets for the price of less than 3 single permits.
    • Requires application with menu and location information for each event you attend.
    • You can use one permit package for both farmers markets and temporary public events.
  • Unlimited permit package
    • Requires a Certified Booth Operator (additional food safety education) for the business.
    • Allows unlimited event and market attendance for the price of less than 3 single permits.
    • Requires application with menu and location information for each event you attend.
    • You can use one permit package for both farmers markets and temporary public events.
• Will there be multiple vendors at the event you are coordinating?

  If yes, a blanket permit may be a good option for this event. A blanket permit is a single permit billed hourly ($243) for all services provided to all vendors. Individual vendors and event coordinators are not required to buy a permit.

  • A coordinator submits a blanket application and $243 non-refundable fee 30 days before the event in the Public Health Permit Center.
  • The coordinator also submits a packet containing an application with the menu for each food vendor at least 14 days before event in the Public Health Permit Center.
  • If the blanket event permit is submitted online, the coordinator is able to upload vendor applications by logging back into the event permit.
  • The coordinator participates in an office plan review with an inspector to review food requirements.

  The coordinator identifies a person in charge who will be on-site at the event and will address food safety issues should they happen.

• Situations where you might not need a permit

  • Food service where a permit isn't needed - WAC 246-215 (48) (c)

  Submit your application for exemption online through the Public Health Permit Center.

  If you prefer paper, complete the Application for exemption from permit (197 KB) form and mail to our office.