Good Morning,
 
As many of you already know, there were several changes to Washington Administrative Code pertaining to Food Safety (WAC 246-215) that went into effect in March of this year. I wanted to start some directed outreach with your group, specifically the rule change on the revision to section 09180 of the Food Safety Code (WAC 246-215). This revision repeals section 09180 – which stated “the regulatory authority may allow a person to operate a food establishment with a limited menu in a movable building without permanent plumbing under applicable provisions of [subpart b(1)]”. This was the section of the code that allowed espresso stands and other movable concession stands to operate with potable water and wastewater tanks, rather than being permanently plumbed. The result of the change is there will now be no exemption for permanent plumbing in the Food Safety Code.
 
You have been included in this email as our records show that you own or are a point of contact for an establishment that may be effected by this rule change. The Snohomish Health District is currently reviewing options available going forward for bringing establishments that lack permanent plumbing into compliance with WAC 246-215. We will be taking forward those options for discussion over the next few weeks with the Snohomish County Board of Health. We would greatly appreciate any ideas or comments you may have for how to achieve compliance with this code revision. We understand that installing permanent access to water and wastewater will be expensive, and may be cost prohibitive for some of you. We are hoping to explore options that will take this into account, while still adhering to the law and protecting public health. Feel free to reach out to me with any further questions and with any comments you might have.

Thank You,
Tony Colinas, Assistant Director of Environmental Health
tcolinas@snohd.org