Local permits & fees

Yakima County, WA — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Yakima Health District (YHD), Environmental Health Division · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food & Beverage Establishment License (by risk level 1-3)
Annual renewal: Risk Level 1 $118 / Level 2 $299 / Level 3 $431. New license (bundles plan review + pre-opening inspection): Level 1 $261 / Level 2 $486 / Level 3 $662 - source https://www.yakimacounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/24066/Food-and-Beverage-License-ApplicationRenewal

Risk level is assigned by an EH Specialist per YHD's risk-based categorization (L1 cold/reheat; L2 cook & hot-hold; L3 full prep/cool) - YHD uses risk level, not square footage. Upgrades: L1->2 $181, L2->3 $132; multiple food service (new) $861 / renewal $630; late payment $60; hourly rate $132/hr. Amounts are from YHD's published fee schedule (2021 application). YHD held a public-input session on a fee update on 2026-04-13; as of 2026-08-10 NO new fee schedule has been adopted, so these figures remain current.

Plan review — required

Bundled into the new-license fee (plan review component $22 L1 / $44 L2 / $66 L3); additional time billed at $132/hr - source https://www.yakimacounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/24066/Food-and-Beverage-License-ApplicationRenewal

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Unit License (by risk level)
New: Level 2 $615 / Level 3 $791. Renewal: Level 2 $428 / Level 3 $560. Catering endorsement (add-on) $180 - source https://www.yakimacounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/24066/Food-and-Beverage-License-ApplicationRenewal

Mobile units require a plan review packet and an approved commissary/servicing area.

Watch out for

  • Yakima Health District advertises some of the lowest food permit fees in Washington.
  • YHD's schedule is driven by risk level (three levels), not by square footage.
  • New-establishment fees bundle plan review and pre-opening inspection into the first-year license fee.
  • YHD held a public-input session on a food permit fee update on 2026-04-13; as of 2026-08-10 no updated schedule has been adopted. Figures here are from the most recent published schedule (2021 application, DocumentCenter View 24066, still the current linked form).

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
CatererCatering endorsement (add-on to a food establishment license) $180, published schedule (2021) - source https://www.yakimacounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/24066/Food-and-Beverage-License-ApplicationRenewalYHD offers a catering endorsement added to an existing risk-level license; a multi-event/catering application is used.
Pushcart / mobile vendingMobile Food Unit - New: Level 2 $615 / Level 3 $791; Renewal: Level 2 $428 / Level 3 $560, published schedule (2021) - source https://www.yakimacounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/24066/Food-and-Beverage-License-ApplicationRenewalMobile units are priced by risk level; a plan review packet and approved commissary/servicing area are required.
Sources: www.yakimacounty.us · www.yakimacounty.us · www.yakimacounty.us · www.yakimacounty.us · observed 2026-08-10