Food Establishment Applications

Applications must be turned in at least thirty days before the food establishment plans to open. The current turnaround time for initial review of applications is 7 to 10 days, with final permits issued on average within 30 days. Applications are reviewed in the order they are received.

• Food Establishment Application (PDF): English / Spanish
• Most food establishment permits are based risk factors of the foods and preparation steps the food establishment will have. You can find out more about risk factors on our website: Risk Levels 
• Plan Review Application (PDF): English / Spanish
• Plan Review References and Guidelines (PDF): English
• Intermittent Food Establishment Event List (PDF): English
• Commissary Application (PDF): English / Spanish
• Commissary Agreement Letter (PDF): English / Spanish
• Getting Ready to for Your Pre-Opening Inspection (PDF): English

In addition to the applications for a new food establishment, caterers must also turn in a catering questionnaire and event list. If you are using a permitted kitchen that you do not own as a commissary to prepare the food, you must submit a Commissary Agreement Letter. The form must be filled out and signed by the owner of the permitted kitchen.

• Catering Questionnaire – English (PDF)
• Commissary Agreement Letter (PDF): English / Spanish
• Intermittent Food Establishment Event List (PDF)

In addition to the applications for a new food establishment, mobile food units such as a food truck or push cart must also turn in a mobile unit application packet.

If you are using a permitted kitchen that you do not own as a commissary to prepare the food, you must submit a Commissary Agreement Letter. The form must be filled out and signed by the owner of the permitted kitchen.

Washington Department of Labor and Industries (LNI)

All Mobile Units, except for those in which the work is done on the outside of the unit only, such as "delivery trucks", must have LNI insignia. Proof of LNI insignia must be submitted with the application. For more information about the LNI requirements and the approval process, please see the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries Food Trucks and Trailers page.

NEW: Washington State Fire Marshal

It is a requirement of the Washington State Fire Code for Fire Marshal’s to inspect and permit food trucks both with annual permits and those that operate at temporary events. This is a separate permit than the one issued by Grant County Health District. More information on The Washington State Fire Marshal’s Statewide Food Truck Inspection Program can be found on their website. 

Beginning January 1st, 2026 Grant County Health District (GCHD) will have new requirements for mobile food units (MFU) that operate in unincorporated areas of Grant County (outside city limits) or within the City of Moses Lake if they have any of the following:

• Fire suppression system
• LP gas (propane)
• CNG gas (compressed natural gas)
• Produce smoke or grease-laden vapors through cooking.

MFUs operating in unincorporated areas of Grant County (outside city limits) or within the City of Moses Lake at temporary events or applying for a new annual permit from GCHD:

1. Must have an annual inspection at a participating WA fire agency. A list of participating agencies can be found at the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Statewide Food Truck Inspection Program website.
2. Must have an annual permit from the Grant County Fire Marshal and/or the Moses Lake Fire Marshal depending on where it will operate.

Currently permitted MFUs must have an annual inspection at a participating WA fire agency and have an annual permit from the Grant County Fire Marshal and/or Moses Lake Fire Marshal before renewing their GCHD permit for 2027. Any changes to the MFU structure or menu may require an annual inspection at a participating WA fire agency and an annual permit from the Grant County Fire Marshal before a new GCHD permit will be issued. Structural changes may also require an LNI inspection.

Applications

• Mobile Unit Application Packet (PDF): English / Spanish
• Commissary Application (PDF): English / Spanish
• Commissary Agreement Letter (PDF): English / Spanish

If your mobile unit is permitted in another WA county, you may be eligible for a secondary mobile permit under rules for reciprocity. To be eligible you must be able to submit all of the following information:

• Secondary Mobile Unit Application: English
• A copy of your current permit from another WA health jurisdiction
• A copy of your original approved plan review: A copy of the complete approved plan review from the regulatory authority where the primary permit is held. This include all plan review documents and any approval letters.
• A recent routine inspection report: A copy of the most recent inspection report of the mobile food unit from the primary regulatory authority that demonstrates compliance with food safety standards. Only “operational” inspections (i.e. routine inspection) without any violations will be accepted.  
•  Primary Permit Commissary Agreement: Any commissary agreements that the applicant is required to maintain under the permit from the primary regulatory authority. 
• Restroom Agreement: Must include plans and agreement for an employee restroom within 500 ft when operating at a fixed location for more than one hour, and/or a restroom within 100 ft if you are providing customer seating and tables.
• Local Commissary Agreement: A local commissary agreement is required except if: 
  • The mobile food unit returns to the existing approved commissary after each day of service as described in the approved plan from the primary regulatory authority, OR 
  • The mobile food unit is exempt from the use of a commissary under RCW 43.20.148. 

Change of Ownership applications are only to be used for businesses that will remain the same, but under new ownership. There can be no changes to the menu, food preparation steps, floor plan, equipment, or extensive remodeling. New owners must submit the application and fee within 30 days of opening under a new owner. If changes are made, a new permit application, plan review, and preopening inspection are required.

• New Ownership Application (pdf): English

A Temporary Food Establishment (TFE) is where food is prepared and/or sold as a part of an event, with the same menu and at the same location, for no more than 21 days in a row with a single event, such as a fair or festival, or no more than three days a week as a part of an approved, recurring event, such as a farmers market or flea market. TFEs are not eligible to operate unless they are part of a public event and food cannot be made at home.

Temporary Food Guidance

• Temporary Food Guide FAQs (PDF): English / Spanish
• Temporary Food Risk Level Guide: English (PDF): English / Spanish 
• Temporary Food Rules of Operation (PDF): English / Spanish

Mobile Units

All Mobile Units, except for those in which the work is done on the outside of the unit only, such as "delivery trucks", must have WA Department of Labor and Industries (LNI) insignia when applying for a temporary food permit in Grant County. Applications will not be processed without one of these items submitted with the application and a permit to operate will not be issued. For more information about the WA LNI requirements and the approval process, please see the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries Food Trucks and Trailers page.

NEW: Washington State Fire Marshal

It is a requirement of the Washington State Fire Code for Fire Marshal’s to inspect and permit mobile food trucks with annual permits and those that operate at temporary events. This is a separate permit than the one issued by Grant County Health District. More information on the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Statewide Food Truck Inspection Program can be found on their website. 

Beginning January 1st, 2026 Grant County Health District (GCHD) will have new requirements for mobile food units (MFU) that operate in unincorporated areas of Grant County (outside city limits) or within the City of Moses Lake if they have any of the following:

• Fire suppression system
• LP gas (propane)
• CNG gas (compressed natural gas)
• Produce smoke or grease-laden vapors through cooking

MFUs operating in unincorporated areas of Grant County (outside city limits) or within the City of Moses Lake at temporary events or applying for a new annual permit from GCHD:

• Must have an annual inspection at a participating WA fire agency. A list of participating agencies can be found at the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Statewide Food Truck Inspection Program website.
• Must have an annual permit from the Grant County Fire Marshal and/or the Moses Lake Fire Marshal depending on where the mobile unit will operate.

Temporary Food Application and Forms

• Temporary Food Application (PDF): English / Spanish
• Temporary Food Non-Profit Attestation Form (PDF): English
• Temporary Food Self-Inspection Form (PDF): English

Recurring Temporary Food Establishments

Recurring temporary food establishments are temporary food vendors that are operating at an event with a regular schedule each week or month, such as a Farmer's Market. Recuring temporary food vendors must pass required number of temporary inspections before they can apply for a recurring permit. Recurring temporary food vendors must also be the same location for each event with the same menu.

• Recurring Temporary Food Ordinance 2025-08 (PDF)
• Recurring TFE Application (PDF): English / Spanish
• Event Coordinator Application (PDF)

The WA Food Code allows some foods to be served or sold to the public with a Certificate of Exemption. All the food safety rules must be followed and foods cannot be prepared at home. You must submit and application for permit exemption 14 days before you want to start offering the food. GCHD must issue you a Certificate of Exemption before you can start serving or selling the food.

Only the following foods can be sold with a Certificate of Exemption:

• Individual samples of non time/temperature control for safety (TCS) sliced fruits and vegetables. Seed sprouts, melons, leafy greens like lettuce or cabbage, and tomatoes cannot be sampled.
• Popcorn and flavored popcorn prepared from commercially packaged non-TCS food ingredients.
• Dried herbs and spices processed in an permitted facility.
• Crushed ice drinks containing only non-TCS food ingredients and dispensed from a self-contained machine that makes its own ice. These drinks are also known as slushies. Snow cones and shaved ice are not allowed and you must apply for a permit for these foods.
• Corn on the cob for immediate service. The corn cannot be hot held.
• Whole roasted peppers for immediate service. The peppers cannot be hot held.
• Roasted nuts, roasted peanuts, and roasted candy-coated nuts.
• Chocolate-dipped ice cream bars prepared from prepackaged ice cream bars produced in a food processing plant.
• Chocolate-dipped bananas prepared from bananas peeled and frozen in an approved facility.
• Cotton candy.

Application

• Certificate of Permit Exception Application: English

If a non-profit organization is operating for religious, charitable, or educational purposes, a permit is not required when food items to be sold don't need to be refrigerated and have no bare-hand contact during preparation and packaging. The non-profit organization must post a sign that tells customers the foods are prepared in a kitchen that is not inspected by a regulatory authority.

This reference guide can help you decide if a permit would be needed for your event and has a sign that can be printed to post at the event: Non-Profit Bake Sale – English (PDF)

Foods that can be sold at a non-profit bake sale include: 

• Breads
• Pastries
• Cakes
• Cupcakes
• Cookies
• Cinnamon Rolls
• Brownies/Blondies
• Popcorn balls
• Rice Krispy Treats
• Candy such as fudge, peanut brittle, taffy, divinity, lollipops   

The foods listed above for a non-profit bake sale may be prepared at home, but foods must be packaged at the place they are made and only sold packaged.  Foods cannot be unpackaged or repackaged at the sale.  Fresh fruits or vegetables cannot be used as a topping, like strawberries on a cake.  

Baked goods that need refrigeration will require a “temporary food permit” and must be prepared in a permitted kitchen. This includes foods like:

• Cream pies
• Cream-filled pastries
• Tres Leches
• Custards/Flan
• Pumpkin Pies
• Other similar products

Please call or email our office for information on how to apply for a temporary food permit.

A donated food distributing organization (DFDO) is a 501(c) charitable nonprofit organization that provides food free of charge to those in need such as a food bank, food pantry, meal kitchen, or meal delivery organization. Because DFDOs provide food to the public they are a food establishment, but don't need a permit.

Before operating and again at the beginning of each year they operate, the person in charge of a donated food distributing organization must notify GCHD in writing they plan to operate. The form with the required information is below. Additionally, the DFDO must turn in a copy of a valid 501(c) IRS determination letter or a letter of sponsorship from a 501(c) organization with a copy of its current 501(c) IRS determination letter.

• Donated Food Distribution Organization (ie Food Bank, Soup Kitchen) – English (PDF)

If you have any questions about the requirements for a DFDO, please call our office at 509-766-7960.