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

Food Establishment License (Risk Level 1, 2 or 3)

A restaurant, coffee shop or store that handles food anywhere in Yakima County needs a food establishment license from the Yakima Health District, which, per its Food Permits page, 'issues food permits for most food services operating in Yakima County'. YHD sorts establishments into three risk levels; its Food Establishments page gives as examples espresso stands, ice cream shops and convenience stores (Level 1), delis, fast-food service, sandwich shops and mini marts (Level 2), and full-service restaurants, buffets and taquerias (Level 3). These are 2026 fees, through 12/31/2026, as printed on YHD's Food and Beverage License Application/Renewal form (revised 10/23/24): a new application costs $261 at Level 1, $486 at Level 2 and $662 at Level 3; the annual license or renewal costs $118, $299 or $431. A Catering/Event-Vending endorsement adds $180. The same form lists a new-owner fee of $66, a late fee of $60 and an hourly rate of $132 for extended services. The Board of Health adopted the 2026 Fee Schedule on September 24, 2025, and adopted a new fee schedule for 2027 on August 26, 2026; the 2027 figures are not published in YHD's posted documents, so confirm any fee for 2027 with the EH Help Desk at (509) 249-6508. YHD's page also lists building, plumbing and fire inspection 'by the city or county' and a state business license with any city endorsements among the approvals to confirm.

Seasonal Food Permit (farmers and flea markets, concessions)

A food vendor at a farmers market, flea market or sports concession that operates at the same location once or twice a week can take a seasonal permit from the Yakima Health District instead of a permit for each event. YHD's Temporary Food Establishment Application describes the seasonal permit as 'up to 2 days per week for 6 months' and prints the 2026 fees, through 12/31/2026, by hazard level: Low Hazard (Level 1) $116, Moderate Hazard (Level 2) $232 and High Hazard (Level 3) $348. The Temporary Food Events page describes Level 2 as hot and cold foods with same-day preparation and Level 3 as foods requiring advance preparation, such as barbecue, tamales or bao buns. The form's $50 late fee applies to applications submitted within 7 days of the event. The Board of Health adopted a new fee schedule for 2027 on August 26, 2026; the 2027 figures are not published in YHD's posted documents, so confirm the fee for a 2027 season with the EH Help Desk at (509) 249-6508.

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 Yakima County

• Temporary Food Establishment Permit (single event) — Yakima Health District, Environmental Health, $54 per event, up to 21 days of service at one location (2026 fees, through 12/31/2026); $50 late fee for applications submitted within 7 days of the event, per event (up to 21 days of service for a single event at one location). Also required for restaurants and food trucks; what it involves is set out on the food trucks page.