What permits do you need to open a restaurant in Skagit County?

Annual Food Establishment Permit (fixed, mobile and independent catering)

A restaurant, coffee shop, food truck, independent caterer or store that sells food anywhere in Skagit County, inside a city or in the unincorporated area, needs an annual food establishment permit from Skagit County Public Health, Environmental Health. RCW 70.05.030(1) makes the local board of health's jurisdiction coextensive with the county's boundaries. The fee is set by risk level in the county's published Public Health Schedule of Charges; its 2026 column, as published on the county's Permit Fee Schedule page and in the 2026 permit application (Rev. 2026.08.24), sets Risk Level 1 at $335, Risk Level 2 at $535 and Risk Level 3 at $625 a year. The county's definitions sheet (Rev. 2026.02.01) gives examples: Risk Level 1 covers packaged food markets, espresso stands and hot dog stands; Risk Level 2 covers fast food restaurants and sandwich cafes that do not cool hot potentially hazardous foods, meat markets and smoothie bars; Risk Level 3 covers full-service restaurants. A surcharge of $170 each applies for high volume (more than 75 seats or a drive-up window), catering, or an additional area. The 2026 application lists an 'On-site Septic System' surcharge of $120, and the schedule's liquid waste rows price that on-site sewage surcharge at $120 for five or fewer on-site sewage systems, $215 for 5 to 25 and $270 for more than 25. A commissary kitchen permit is $105. The 2026 application lists a 'Late fee (30 days)' of $75 and an hourly rate of $130. Mobile units must keep an approved commissary agreement or an approved commissary waiver. The application states that 'permits are not transferrable between people or establishments'. Contact Environmental Health at 360-416-1500.

Temporary, Seasonal and Multi-Event Food Establishment Permits

A vendor serving food at a fair, festival, farmers market or other event in Skagit County, in a city or the unincorporated area, needs a temporary food establishment permit from Skagit County Public Health. The county's temporary food permits page states that 'An Event Permit is valid for one event in a single location for up to 21 consecutive days' and that a Market Permit covers one approved recurring seasonal event, such as a farmers market, 'that operates no more than 3 days per week.' Under the 2026 column of the Public Health Schedule of Charges, as published on the county's Permit Fee Schedule page, a single-event permit costs $120 for a low-risk menu or $185 for a standard menu; a seasonal permit at a single location $245 or $340; and a multi-event/multi-location permit $275 or $400. A food sampler or demonstrator with a low-risk menu pays $65, and an umbrella permit for an event with up to 10 participants costs $400 for the first three hours. Late applications pay $60 when submitted 10 to 6 business days before the event and $120 when submitted 5 or fewer business days before; operating without a permit costs double the permit fee plus the 5-day late fee. The page also states: 'Starting 1/1/2027, Skagit County will no longer accept commissary agreements for kitchens that do not have a valid local health permit.' Contact Environmental Health at 360-416-1500.

Shared with other businesses in Skagit County

• Food Establishment Plan Review — Skagit County Public Health, Environmental Health, $360–$745 per project (2026 column of the Public Health Schedule of Charges): Tier 1 $360, Tier 2 $515, Tier 3 $745, each including one pre-opening inspection; reviews over 5 hours at the $130 hourly rate, one-time per project. Also required for coffee shops and food trucks; what it involves is set out on the food trucks page.
• Food & Beverage Worker Permit (Food Worker Card) — Skagit County Public Health, Environmental Health, $10 per card, the amount set by state rule (WAC 246-217-025(2)); reprint of an active card $5, fee paid per card issued; the card is the Washington State food worker card under WAC 246-217. Also required for coffee shops and food trucks; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.
• Fire Marshal Kitchen Hood / Spray Booth Permit (unincorporated Skagit County) — Skagit County Fire Marshal's Office (Planning & Development Services), $465 per installation, including one inspection, as published on the county's Permit Fee Schedule page, per installation. Also required for auto repair shops; what it involves is set out on the auto repair shops page.
• Liquor License — County Notice and Objection (locations outside city limits) — Skagit County Board of County Commissioners, No fee, not applicable — the state license carries its own term. Also required for retail stores; what it involves is set out on the retail stores page.
• Food Establishment Permit — Washington State Department of Health, Food Safety Program, $240–$1,386 a year, set by the local health jurisdiction — there is no state fee, annual, on a cycle the local jurisdiction sets. Also required for coffee shops and food trucks; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.
• Food Worker Card — Washington State Department of Health, Food Safety Program, $10 per card, 2 years first time, 3 on renewal, 5 with extra food safety training. Also required for coffee shops and food trucks; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.