Opening or Operating a Food Business - Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department

New business, new owner or making changes to an existing food business?

We can help.

Through plan review, we make sure you have the equipment and processes needed to make safe food. It’s an important and required step to operate a food business.

Before you turn in your application.

Contact your local building, planning and zoning departments for more requirements. Inquire about grease traps and hoods.
Get your Washington Business License.
- Double check the UBI number. A change in UBI is a change in ownership and you will need to pay the plan review or permit fee again.
Complete the Water Adequacy Verification or Application.
Complete the Sewer/Septic Verification.
Review our refrigeration guidance.

Prefer a language other than English?

Let us know. We have free language services, like document translation and interpreters. Contact (253) 649-1706 or food@tpchd.org.

How to apply.

We have 1 plan review application. You must submit a complete application and plan review fee (non-refundable). The same application is used for new businesses, change of menu or equipment and remodels. We require an application and fee for each permit. A restaurant with catering requires an application and fee for each.

To get started:

Complete a Plan Review Packet.
Complete additional forms if you will have catering, commissary kitchen, vending or a mobile food unit.
- If you are a mobile unit, read Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (LNI) notice to all food trucks and trailer operators.
Submit your packet, forms and plan review fee payment in-person, by mail, or online (you’ll need to set up an account and password).

How long will the process take?

At this time we have a higher number than normal of applications in review. Response times will be delayed. We usually respond within 10 days with an approval or to ask more questions. During busy times, it may take longer.

What happens once I’m approved?

We will email an approval letter to you and the Building Department. The letter will state which permit you need and the permit fee you must pay. Once you are ready to open:

Pay your permit fee and preopening inspection fee.
Schedule a pre-opening inspection at least 5 business days before your food business will open.

What if I make changes after approval?

This can cause a delay. If you make changes to your approved plan before our preopening inspection—like changes to your floor plan, equipment, or menu—your approval is no longer valid. You would then need to complete a resubmittal plan review. For a resubmittal, we only review the changes you’ve made before issuing a new approval. Most resubmittal applications will require an additional preopening fee and inspection.

Questions?

Call (253) 649-1706 or email food@tpchd.org. You can also drop in or call to schedule an in-person appointment. We’re open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. But, close from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch. We accept applications until 4 p.m.

Resources

Do you use or serve as a commissary kitchen?

Washington state food code requires commissaries to have a permit.

If the kitchen you use to support your food establishment doesn’t have a Commissary Permit, share this information with them.

If other operators already use your commissary, you don’t need to do anything. We will send you a 2023 Commissary Permit with no fee. You will need to buy a Commissary Permit in 2024.

What qualifies as a commissary?

A commissary kitchen provides space for operators to make, store, portion, or package food. Certain operators must use a commissary:

Caterers.
Mobile food operators.
Temporary event vendors.
Some to-go style restaurants.

Benefits of a commissary permit.

When your business has a commissary permit, you make it easier for food businesses to find a kitchen that supports their operation.

If you own both a mobile unit and the food establishment it uses as a commissary, you don’t need a commissary permit.

For example, if own a dine-in restaurant and a food truck, you don’t need a commissary permit. If you want to allow other food businesses to use your kitchen, you need to apply for a permit.

You don’t need to do anything if other operators already use your commissary kitchen.

You will receive a 2023 Commissary Permit with no fee. You will need to buy a Commissary Permit in 2024.

If you make a change, you need to submit a plan review application. This includes if you:

Change your plan facility floor plan or equipment list.
Add more operators to the kitchen.
Change ownership.

Planning to open a commissary?

You must submit a plan review application and get final approval before operators can use your kitchen. Applying for a Commissary Permit does not guarantee approval. Learn more about opening a commissary kitchen.

Questions?

Does your food establishment operate with water tanks instead of being connected to water and sewer?

All permitted food establishments must connect to public water and sanitary sewer or septic. This change doesn’t affect mobile food units that move daily.

What do you need to do?

Existing facilities—You don’t need to do anything if you currently operate with holding tanks. But, if you make a change to your facility, you need to submit a variance application. This includes plan review to change your menu or processes or if a change of ownership occurs.
New facilities—You may submit a variance application with your plan review. Applying for a variance does not guarantee approval.

With a variance you can operate with a limited menu, such as coffee or commercially made foods.

You must use a commissary to support the operations of the food establishment, like:

Filling and emptying holding tanks.
Employee restroom access.
Mop sink for cleaning the food establishment.

Want to open or buy a food establishment that operates with holding tanks?

Get a consult to see what you need to operate safely and meet code requirements. Visit the Health Department or call us at (253) 649-1417.

Questions?

See more code changes.