Local permits & fees

Benton County, WA — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Benton-Franklin Health District (BFHD), Food Safety / Environmental Health (serves both Benton and Franklin counties, incl. Kennewick, Richland and West Richland in Benton County - the Tri-Cities) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Annual Health Permit - Food Service (Restaurant), by seating capacity and risk level
Risk Level 1 / 2 / 3 by seats: 0-20 seats $200 / $300 / $400; 21-50 seats $300 / $400 / $500; 51-100 seats $400 / $500 / $600; 101+ seats $500 / $600 / $700 per year (Effective 01/01/2024) - source https://www.bfhd.wa.gov/UserFiles/Servers/Server_10765972/File/FOOD%20SAFETY/2024%20BFHD%20Food%20Establishment%20Fee%20Schedule.pdf

Risk Level (1-3) is assigned by menu/process complexity. Change of Ownership $250; Remodel/Menu Review/Pre-Op $150; Plan Approval with less than 3 weeks notice $200; Risk Level increase $100 per level.

Plan review — required

Plan Review by seating: Food Service 0-20 seats $500; 21-50 seats $600; 51-100 seats $700; 101+ seats $800. Mobile Unit plan review $500; Caterer $350; Commissary Kitchen $250; Cocktail Lounge/Bar $300 - source https://www.bfhd.wa.gov/UserFiles/Servers/Server_10765972/File/FOOD%20SAFETY/2024%20BFHD%20Food%20Establishment%20Fee%20Schedule.pdf

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Unit - Per Unit
By risk level: Risk 1 $200; Risk 2 $300; Risk 3 $400 per year (plan review $500) - source https://www.bfhd.wa.gov/UserFiles/Servers/Server_10765972/File/FOOD%20SAFETY/2024%20BFHD%20Food%20Establishment%20Fee%20Schedule.pdf

Commissary is required (Commissary Use add-on $100). Concessions (Seasonal) are a distinct class at $200 / $300 / $400 by risk.

Watch out for

  • Benton-Franklin Health District is a bi-county district covering both Benton and Franklin counties (the Tri-Cities), so the same fee schedule applies across Benton County.
  • Fees are set on a seating x risk-level (1/2/3) grid for restaurants and mobiles; the plan review fee is a separate column of the same grid.
  • Temporary Food Permits: Low Hazard $60; Moderate $90; High $120. Seasonal Temp $200/$300/$400; Seasonal Temp (Caterer) $100/$150/$200; additional event days $15/day.
  • Grocery 'Basic (store)' fees are by number of registers: 1-4 $200; 5-9 $300; 10+ $400. Food worker card $10.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
CatererBy risk level: Risk 1 $200; Risk 2 $300; Risk 3 $400 per year (plan review $350)BFHD Food Establishment Fee Schedule, effective 01/01/2024.
Commissary / central preparation kitchenCommissary Kitchen $150/yr (plan review $250); Food Service from a Commissary Kitchen by risk $200 / $300 / $400; Commissary Use add-on $100; Commissary Exemption $150Multiple commissary-related line items.
Bakery / food processingAdditional Department (bakery, meat, produce, etc.) within a store, by risk: $200 / $300 / $400 (plan review $150)Priced as an added department within a grocery/retail facility.
Bar / limited food serviceCocktail Lounge / Bar / Additional Kitchen by risk: $100 / $200 / $300 (plan review $300); Alcohol Service without Food $175 (plan review $250)Bar with/without food handled as distinct lines.
Grocery / market with deliBasic (store) by number of registers: 1-4 $200; 5-9 $300; 10+ $400 (plan review $300); with Food Service 0-20 seats add by risk $200 / $300 / $400Grocery priced by register count; deli/food-service and added departments are separate add-ons.
Temporary / seasonal eventTemporary Permit: Low Hazard $60; Moderate $90; High $120. Seasonal Temp $200 / $300 / $400; Seasonal Temp (Caterer) $100 / $150 / $200; additional event days $15/dayQualified Operator at a temporary event $30 / $45 / $60 by hazard.
Pushcart / mobile vendingMobile Unit (per unit) by risk: Risk 1 $200; Risk 2 $300; Risk 3 $400 (plan review $500); Concessions (Seasonal) $200 / $300 / $400Commissary required (Commissary Use add-on $100).
Sources: www.bfhd.wa.gov · www.bfhd.wa.gov · www.bfhd.wa.gov · observed 2026-08-07