After the pre-operational inspection is passed, an invoice for the annual permit fee is emailed (payable online, in person, or by mail). Fees set by Board of Health fee ordinance.
Turnaround: ~12 weeks for first review (plans reviewed first-come, first-served regardless of type); Board of Health approved partial fee credits when waits exceed 12 weeks
Mobile Food Unit Plan Review Guide required. Long permit backlogs prompted a Board of Health relief measure crediting temporary application fees toward the annual permit when approval exceeds 12 weeks.
| Category | Annual fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Caterer | $500 / $745 / $1,025 | Caterer by risk: low $500, medium $745, high $1,025. Catering Endorsement (added to an existing food service permit) +$250. |
| Bakery | $500 | Bakery permit $500. |
| Commissary / central kitchen | $780 | Central/commissary kitchens permitted as food service establishments; School Food Service Central Kitchen $780 (Satellite Kitchen $495, School Kitchen $590). Standalone commissary permitted by risk under the food service establishment categories. |
| Temporary / special event | $110 - $275 | Temporary Food permit by risk: low $110, medium/high up to $275. |
| Limited operation / demonstrator | $75 - $150 | Food Demonstrator Permits $75-$150 (limited sampling/demo operations). Low Risk fixed establishment $500. |
| Market / grocery with deli | — | Grocery/retail store food service (deli) permitted by SnoHD as a food service establishment (priced by seats/risk); grocery retail itself licensed by WA Dept. of Agriculture. No standalone grocery-deli line on the fee schedule. |
| Food processing / wholesale | — | Food processing/wholesale licensed by the WA State Dept. of Agriculture, not Snohomish Health Department; no county fee. |