Local permits & fees

Skagit County, WA — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Skagit County Public Health - Environmental Health (Food & Living Environment) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Annual Food Establishment Permit (by risk level)
Risk Level 1 $320; Risk Level 2 $475; Risk Level 3 $560. Surcharge $150 each for high volume (>75 seats/drive-up) or catering or each additional distinct food-prep area

2025 Schedule of Charges. Risk level assigned by menu/process complexity per WAC 246-215. Annual permit covers fixed, mobile, and independent catering operations. Up to 3% card-processing surcharge may apply.

Plan review — required

Plan Review Tier 1 $350; Tier 2 $500; Tier 3 $725

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Establishment (annual food establishment permit)
Uses the same Risk Level fees: $320 (RL1) / $475 (RL2) / $560 (RL3) based on the unit's menu/processes

Annual permits explicitly apply to fixed, mobile, and independent catering operations. Mobile units also need WA L&I approval and a commissary; separate mobile plan review applies.

Watch out for

  • Prompt used a risk x square-foot framing, but Skagit's 2025 schedule is risk-level-based (RL1-3) with a $150 surcharge per high-volume/catering/extra prep area; square footage is not a direct fee axis.
  • Commissary permit $100; Donated Food Distributing Organization no fee.
  • Temporary permits: single-event low-risk $95 / standard $170; seasonal and multi-event tiers up to $390; food sampler/demonstrator $65; umbrella permit (up to 10 booths) $375.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
Caterer$150 catering surcharge added to a fixed Risk Level permit; independent catering operations pay the Risk Level 1-3 fees ($320 / $475 / $560)Independent catering operating from a commissary it does not own is charged 'Use Risk Level Fees'.
Commissary / central preparation kitchen$100Requires plan review and annual inspection; kitchen-for-hire serving other operators must hold this permit.
Grocery / market with deliBase Risk Level 3 permit $560 (deli) + $150 surcharge per additional distinct prep area (bakery RL1, meat/seafood RL2, packaged foods RL1)Supermarket example totals $1,010 for four areas.
Temporary / seasonal eventSingle event: $95 (low-risk) / $170 (standard); Single seasonal location: $210 / $300; Multi-event/multi-location: $210 / $390; Umbrella permit (up to 10 booths) $375Food Sampler/Demonstrator $65; exempt-from-permit application review $35.
Pushcart / mobile vendingUses the annual Risk Level fees: $320 (RL1) / $475 (RL2) / $560 (RL3)Annual food establishment permit covers mobile operations; separate mobile plan review (Tier 1-3, $350-$725) applies.
Sources: www.skagitcounty.net · skagitcounty.net · observed 2026-08-07