What permits do you need to open a coffee shop in Clark County Wa?

Food Establishment Plan Review

Clark County Public Health reviews the plans of a food establishment before it opens, and the fee sheet states that a business must obtain both an approved plan review and an annual permit before opening or operating. Under the 2026 fee schedule, effective January 1, 2026, as published in the county's Environmental Public Health fee schedule and the Food Safety Program 2026 Fee Schedule, new construction costs $1,350. New construction covers a new building or an existing building that has not previously prepared or sold food, and the fee sheet says this includes the ghost kitchen concept. A remodel, modification or change of ownership costs $1,224 at Level 1, $1,477 at Level 2 and $1,688 at Level 3. The fee sheet defines this category as significant structure, equipment or food preparation changes (including an increase in complexity level), an ownership change that removes all original owners, or a pre-existing food establishment that is reopening. Variance reviews and HACCP plan reviews for special processes such as curing, smoking or reduced oxygen packaging are priced separately on the same schedule.

On-Site Septic System Plan Review and Permit

A business on a property that is not served by public sewer and installs or repairs an on-site septic system needs plan review and a permit from Clark County Public Health. Under the 2026 Environmental Public Health fee schedule, effective January 1, 2026, plan review and permit cost $632 for a conventional gravity system, $718 for an alternative system and $1,506 for a large system over 1,000 gallons per day; repair of a failing system under 1,000 gallons per day costs $804 for site, plan and permit. A soil and site evaluation is priced separately on the same schedule. Clark County Code 24.17.040 adopts the state on-site sewage rules, WAC 246-272A, by reference. Clark County Code 24.17.020(2) states that the chapter 'is not intended to preempt local municipalities from regulating on-site septic systems so long as the regulation meets or exceeds the standards set by this chapter and Chapter 246-272A WAC.' A business on a public sewer has no septic permit. Contact Clark County Public Health environmental services at 564.397.8428.

On-Site Septic System Annual Operating Permit

Every property with an on-site septic system in Clark County pays an annual operating permit fee to Clark County Public Health: the county's OSS page states that 'All properties with an OSS pay an annual OSS operating permit fee.' The 2026 Environmental Public Health fee schedule, effective January 1, 2026, sets the Septic Operating Permit at $13.87. A business that owns or leases a building on septic should expect this charge to reach the property owner each year. The same OSS page explains that an owner who is more than one year past the system's required inspection date as of December 31 receives a separate non-compliance fee on the following year's Clark County property tax bill, under Clark County Code 24.17.180(d); that charge applies only while the system is out of compliance, so keeping inspections current avoids it. A business on a public sewer has no septic operating permit.

Food Establishment Permit

The state writes the retail food code and prices nothing — the whole chapter contains no dollar figure anywhere. The local board of health, acting through the local health officer, is the regulatory authority, and each of the thirty-five local health jurisdictions sets its own schedule capped at actual cost. They do not even band the same way: King County crosses establishment type with seat count and a three-level risk category, from $441 to $1,386; Spokane bands by complexity, $290 basic, $380 limited and $850 complex; Pierce County bands by seats from $1,080 up to $2,400 for a large buffet. King County's permit year runs from 1 April and prorates by quarter. Plan review is separately and substantially charged — a thousand dollars and upward in King County. A single Washington restaurant permit fee does not exist and any figure offered as one is invented.

Food Worker Card

Ten dollars, and unusually the card is issued locally but valid across the whole state — the exam is uniform and any legally issued card works everywhere in Washington. The term rewards staying current: two years for a first card, three on renewal, and five if you document additional food safety training within the previous two years. One warning worth repeating because the state itself repeats it: there is exactly one authorised online provider, foodworkercard.wa.gov, and other sites offering a similar card are not valid in Washington. You may renew up to sixty days early. This is a separate thing from the certified food protection manager requirement in the food code.

Shared with other businesses in Clark County Wa

• Food Establishment Annual Permit — Clark County Public Health, Environmental Public Health, By menu complexity and the business's gross revenue in the previous calendar year: Level 1 (low complexity) $470 ($0-$500K), $512 ($501K-$1M), $601 ($1M+); Level 2 (medium complexity) $1,128, $1,223, $1,401; Level 3 (high complexity) $2,357, $2,635, $2,908. HACCP permit add-on $767. Plan review is charged separately., annual. Also required for restaurants and retail stores; what it involves is set out on the retail stores page.
• Food Worker Card — In-Person Testing Fee — Clark County Public Health, Environmental Public Health, $10 per in-person test at Clark County Public Health (2026 fee schedule), per test; the card itself is a Washington State-approved food worker card (WAC 246-217). Also required for restaurants and food trucks; what it involves is set out on the restaurants page.
• Sign Permit (Planning Review and Building Sign Permit) — Clark County Community Development, Permit Center, Planning sign review $368 plus $53 issuance (Table 6.110A.010, row Z). Building sign permit (Table 6.140.030-1, items 4.I-K): one freestanding sign $250; a single fascia (wall) sign $150; multiple signs for one tenant under one permit $250., one-time per sign application. Also required for retail stores, restaurants, fitness studios, auto repair shops and salons and barbers; what it involves is set out on the restaurants page.