Washington
Public Health — Seattle & King County issues the Mobile Food Unit operating permit. 2026 annual fees depend on risk category. New units also pay a plan-review fee. You will likely also need a City of Seattle business license if you operate in the city — contact the City for the current fee.
Last checked 2026-11-09 (America/New_York).
We only use verifiable sources. Every fee below links to its official page or PDF. Where an amount is not published, we point you to the office that issues it.
| Item | Amount | Term and source |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile Food Unit annual permit — Risk 1 Risk category is assigned by Public Health based on the complexity of the food you serve. Contact the department for your risk level rather than self-assigning. |
$630 | Permit year runs April 1 through March 31. First-year fees are prorated if you start mid-year (100% on/after April 1 and before July 1; 75% on/after July 1 and before October 1; 50% on/after October 1 and before January 1; 25% on/after January 1 and before April 1). Seasonal discounts also exist if you operate fewer than 12 months. King County Food & Facilities Program Fees — 2026 PDF |
| Mobile Food Unit annual permit — Risk 2 Contact Public Health for your risk category. |
$1,008 | April 1–March 31, with the same proration rules King County Food & Facilities Program Fees — 2026 PDF |
| Mobile Food Unit annual permit — Risk 3 Contact Public Health for your risk category. |
$1,260 | April 1–March 31, with the same proration rules King County Food & Facilities Program Fees — 2026 PDF |
| New construction plan review (base fee) New construction plan review is billed as a 4-hour base fee of $1,008, plus $252 per hour after 4 hours. Remodel and other plan-review types have different base hours (see the official fee PDF). |
$1,008 | Plan review (plus hourly overage) King County Food & Facilities Program Fees — 2026 PDF |
Use the county’s Mobile Food Unit Plan Review and Permitting Guide and application. New construction plan review starts at a $1,008 (4-hour) base, then $252/hour. Changes to mobile and limited food service establishments are listed at $504 plus $252/hour after 2 hours. Do not invent a risk category — the department assigns it from your menu and processes.
King County publishes educational resources and a way to look up commissary kitchens. Ask whether your kitchen is approved to service a mobile food unit, and budget for a $25 commissary-change fee if you switch kitchens later (published in the 2026 miscellaneous fees).
2026 annual fees are $630 (Risk 1), $1,008 (Risk 2), or $1,260 (Risk 3). Ask Public Health which risk category applies. Watch the April 1–March 31 permit year and the official proration table if you open mid-year.
A King County health permit is not the same as a city business license. Contact the City of Seattle or the city where you vend for requirements and current fees.
If you use propane, a generator, or a hood/suppression system, check with Seattle Fire Department (or the fire authority for the city where you operate). Those fees are not listed in the King County food-establishment fee PDF — contact Seattle Fire for current amounts.
Other 2026 fees in the official PDF include a $10 food and beverage worker’s license, late fees of 10/20/30% of the annual permit, and a $25 facility name-change fee.
Commercial commissary kitchen annual permit is listed at $441 (Risk 1) in the same 2026 PDF — relevant if you will operate or contract with a commissary.
Map pins use OpenStreetMap. Listings are not a complete official directory.
4634 E Marginal Way S, Seattle, WA 98134
Shared commercial kitchen. Ask Public Health — Seattle & King County whether the location is an approved commissary for your mobile food unit.
Last checked 2026-11-09. Ask the kitchen whether it can sign your official commissary paperwork before you rely on it.
5604 Delridge Way Southwest, Seattle, WA 98106
Large shared commissary kitchen. Ask about King County approval and truck-servicing capacity.
Last checked 2026-11-09. Ask the kitchen whether it can sign your official commissary paperwork before you rely on it.
FoodTruck Ready is not affiliated with the City of Seattle or Public Health – Seattle & King County. It is a practical summary by Thirty and Beyond, LLC. Check the linked official sources before you spend money or start construction.
