Temporary Food Establishment

All food vendors are required to have a temporary food establishment permit to offer food at events that are open to the public. An event is considered public if it is advertised. A “temporary food establishment" means a food establishment:

Operating at a fixed location, with a fixed menu, for not more than twenty-one consecutive days in conjunction with a single event or celebration, such as a fair or festival; or
Operating not more than three days a week at a fixed location, with a fixed menu, in conjunction with an approved, recurring, organized event, such as a farmers market.

Private events where food is offered without compensation, such as church dinners or events for members and their guests only, are not required to obtain temporary food establishment permits. Nonprofit organizations operating for religious, charitable, or educational purposes may offer homemade baked goods (that do not require temperature control for safety) without a permit. These items must be prepared and wrapped in a sanitary manner. There must be a visible sign stating that the foods are prepared in a home kitchen that is not inspected by a regulatory authority.

Click on the links below to go directly to those topics:

Frequently Asked Questions
Temporary Food Event Coordinators
Temporary Food Establishment Requirements
Temporary Food Establishment Permits and Fees

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS / PREGUNTAS FRECUENTES

If you have any other questions about Temporary Food Establishments and permits, contact the Snohomish County Health Department Food Safety voicemail line at 425-339-8730 or Email Food Safety.

TEMPORARY FOOD Event coordinators

Coordinator’s Checklist for a Temporary Food Event (PDF): This form is required for multiple day events or events with 4 or more food vendors. Temporary event coordinators must submit this form to the Snohomish County Health Department at least 30 days before to the event.
Temporary Food Event Coordinator Guide (PDF)

TEMPORARY FOOD ESTABLISHMENT REQUIREMENTS

Mobile Food Units that have not been inspected and approved for use by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries will not be permitted by the Snohomish County Health Department. Please visit The L&I Food Trucks & Trailers page for more information.
At least 1 person working in the temporary food establishment must have a valid food worker card posted, although we encourage all people working to have a valid card.
Temporary Food Booth Requirements (PDF) This is also available in Spanish.
A fully completed application and permit fee must be turned in to the Snohomish County Health Department 14 days or more before the event to avoid a late fee charge. Postmarked dates will not be recognized. Late applications turned in 1-13 days before the event will require a late fee. Late applications will not be accepted without the late fee. If there are fewer than two days before the event, you cannot apply online and must apply in person at the Snohomish County Health Department.
- Application for Temporary Food Establishment Permit (PDF)
- Application for Temporary Food Establishment Permit in Spanish (PDF)

We accept applications in person, by mail or you can create an account to submit temporary food service applications online.

Snohomish County Health Department
Attn: Temporary Food Permit Coordinator
3020 Rucker Avenue
Everett, WA 98201

The Food Safety program reviews permit applications in the order of the Event Start Date on each application. Part of the application review is gathering information from Event Coordinators, which we need for approval. To avoid processing delays, make sure your permit application is filled out completely and accurately and you select the correct permit categories for your payment. Due to the high volume of application submittals and inquiries that are currently being received by our program, Temporary Event applications are being reviewed within 30 days of the scheduled event. Your permit will be emailed to you once the review has been completed.

TEMPORARY FOOD ESTABLISHMENT PERMITs and FEES

Temporary food establishment permit fees will be determined by the types of food being served and the type of processes used to prepare the food. To determine which temporary food permit you need, use the checklist on the first page of the Application for Temporary Food Establishment Permit above. The ¿Qué Permiso Temporal de Alimentos Necesito? checklist is also available in Spanish.

Low Risk Permit – Required for packaged TCS* (Time/Temperature Control for Safety) foods, non-TCS* foods handled openly, TCS* foods that are minimally prepared.

Medium Risk Permit – TCS* foods that are heated, TCS* foods that are openly handled.

High Risk Permit – Required for cooking of raw meats, cooling of TCS* foods for preparation and/or later service.

Food Demonstrator – Sampling of commercially prepared shelf-stable products that are also for sale in the food booth. Non-TCS* foods only. When reusable service ware is used to prepare samples.

*TCS (Time/Temperature Control for Safety) Food: Specific holding and cooking temperatures are required for these foods.

Single Event

Low Risk	$110.00 event permit fee
Medium Risk	$175.00 event permit fee
High Risk	$275.00 event permit fee

Farmers Markets

Low Risk Recurring Event, farmers markets only	$235.00 seasonal temporary permit fee associated with a farmers market
Medium Risk Recurring Event, farmers markets only	$335.00 seasonal temporary permit fee associated with a farmers market
High Risk Recurring Event, farmers markets only	$650.00 seasonal temporary permit fee associated with a farmers market

Farmers Market Additional location

Low Risk Recurring, Additional Location, farmers markets only	$110.00 seasonal temporary permit fee associated with a farmers market
Medium Risk Recurring, Additional Location, farmers markets only	$175.00 seasonal temporary permit fee associated with a farmers market
High Risk Recurring, Additional Location, farmers markets only	$275.00 seasonal temporary permit fee associated with a farmers market

Food Demonstrator

Single event 1-21 days	$75.00 event permit fee
Recurring event	$150.00 recurring event permit fee
Recurring event, Additional Location	$75.00 recurring event additional location fee

EXEMPT FROM PERMIT

Processing fee (required)

$65.00 processing fee

When serving foods that are specifically identified as exempt from permit under WAC 246-215-08305, you may submit an application for exemption from permit. No foods may be added or subtracted from the menu items listed on the application.

We accept applications in person, by mail or you can create an account to submit Exemption applications online.