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Public Health
Seattle & King County
401 5th Ave., Suite 1300
Seattle, WA 98104
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Phone: 206-296-4600
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How to start a food business in King County
Environmental Health Division
401 - 5th Avenue, Suite 1100
Seattle, Washington 98104-1818
Phone: 206-296-4632
Types of food establishments
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- Permanent Food Establishments
A permanent food business is an establishment operating at a fixed location for more than twenty-one (21) consecutive days. See required plan submission and application forms in the next sections below to get started.
- Temporary Food Establishments
A temporary food business is an establishment operating at a fixed location for not more than twenty-one (21) consecutive days in conjunction with a single event or celebration or operating not more than 3 days a week in conjunction with a farmers market or recurring organized event.. See required plan review and application forms in the next sections below to get started.
- Mobile Food Establishments
A mobile food service operation includes food carts, espresso carts, food served out of vehicles and kiosks. See required plan review and application forms in the next sections below to get started.
- Catering Establishments
Catering businesses need a food service permit to legally prepare and serve food as hired prior to private parties and events in King County. Click on the link above to view information specific to catering establishments and to access all of the required materials to get your business started.
- Farmer's Markets
If you are a farmer's market vendor selling produce in open-air markets or a market coordinator, download the items below as they pertain to your role.
Exempt foods and low cost plan only foods
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The 3-Step Plan Review process of starting a food business
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Whenever you start a new food service operation or remodel an existing one, there is a 3-part "plan review" process to complete. The first two steps occur before construction begins, and the third step is completed before you can open for business.
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FOOD SERVICE PLAN GUIDES |
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- Food Service Establishment Plan Guide
The Food Service Establishment Plan Guide is a checklist of items you will need to review and include in your final plans to ensure that you've covered every area of your food business. Use this Plan Guide if you are starting a permanent or catering food service establishment.
Additional sources to help you define your Plan Guide:
- List of important agency contacts
You may need to contact several local agencies to find out what you need to do to complete your Food Business Plan including the Fire Department, Building Department, business licensing, liquor permits, sewage hookups, etc. Most agencies have an information specialist who can answer your specific questions. Which agencies you need to contact will depend on your particular business.
- King County Board of Health (BOH) food codes
If you wish to reference the detailed Food Codes for King County, click on the link above and view BOH Titles 5, R5, 6 and R6 as they pertain to food service establishments.
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PLAN REVIEW PROCESS |
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FOOD SERVICE PERMIT APPLICATION |
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Request for Variance forms (PDF)
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Other food business forms and information (PDF)
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Food Worker Card, Online Study Manual and Videos
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Before you can serve food in a food establishment, you will need a Food Worker's Card. You must take a class and pass an exam before you earn your card. The class and test take approximately 2 hours to complete and is offered in English, Spanish, Korean, Cantonese, Mandarin, Russian, and Vietnamese.
- Visit the Food Worker Card homepage
Includes the current schedule of locations and times, a checklist of items to take with you, and tips on how to prepare for the class and test.
- Prepare for the Food Worker Card Class and Test
Knowing the facts for food safety ahead of time will help you complete your written test faster.
- Study the written version of "Food Safety is Everybody’s Business" available in multiple languages.
- Visit the Food Safety Video Library to watch streaming videos through your Internet browser on "Food Safety Basics for Working Healthy" available in English, Spanish, Korean, Cantonese, Mandarin, Russian, and Vietnamese (approximately 30 minutes each.)
Meat Cutter License Process
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If your job requires the cutting of fresh beef, veal, lamb and/or pork within a meat establishment you will need to pass an exam to obtain a personal occupational “Meat Cutter” license in addition to the Food Worker Permit exam. Visit this page for schedule of testing dates and locations.
Need help getting started? Contact a Food Plans Examiner
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If you have any questions about preparing your food plans, contact the Plans Examiner serving the area where your food establishment is located:
- Trish Ryan, Sr. Environmental Health Specialist
For food establishments in the City of Seattle
Environmental Health Division
401 - 5th Avenue, Suite 1100
Seattle, WA 98104-2333
Phone: 206-263-8484
- Diane Agasid-Bondoc, Sr. Environmental Health Specialist
For food establishments in unincorporated South King County and South King County suburban cities
Alder Square Public Health Center
Environmental Health Division
1404 Central Ave. S., Suite 101
Kent, WA 98032
Phone: 206-205-1903
- Mike Bratcher, Sr. Environmental Health Specialist
For food establishments in unincorporated North and East King County, North and East suburban cities
Northshore Public Health Center
Environmental Health Division
10808 NE 145th St.
Bothell, WA 98011
Phone: 206-296-9741
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food finds
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For food service operators and employees: Read the Menu Review
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 Study Guide for food workers
The study guide to help prepare you for the class and test to get your Food Worker Card. Available online in English and Spanish
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