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

Temporary Food Establishment (TFE) Permit and Large-Event Organizer Fee

A vendor selling food at a fair, festival, farmers market or other event of 21 days or less in Spokane County needs a Temporary Food Establishment permit from the Spokane Regional Health District, which covers every city and the unincorporated area. Under the 2026 fee schedule adopted by SRHD Board of Health Resolution #25-05 on October 30, 2025, the fee rises with the food-handling level and the number of days: Level 1 runs $120 for one day to $180 for an annual/recurring permit; Level 2 runs $325 for one day to $400 annual/recurring, with a $300 repeat/additional permit; Level 3 runs $400 for one day to $520 recurring, with a $400 repeat/additional permit. An event organizer pays a separate per-event fee of $500 for 20 to 39 food vendors or $1,250 for 40 or more. SRHD's own fee page lists the same amounts for the 2026 calendar year and states that all applications must be submitted 14 days before operation or fees may double, and that applications received less than three days before the event may not be accepted. These are the 2026 fee schedule amounts; confirm with SRHD Food Safety, 509-324-1560 ext. 2, for events after 2026, since a proposed 2027 schedule was before the Board of Health as of October 2026.

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 Spokane County

• Food Establishment Permit (annual) — Spokane Regional Health District, Food Safety Program, $150–$850 a year by establishment type (2026 fee schedule): micromarket $150, concession stand $240, meat and fish shop $250, basic $290, school cafeteria $300, limited $380, seasonal complex $425, complex restaurant $850; caterer $570 with an approved catering kitchen or $260 with a supplemental kitchen, annual (SRHD lists each food establishment permit as due 'Annually'). Also required for restaurants and retail stores; what it involves is set out on the retail stores page.