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Health - Food Establishments & Food/Event Vendors

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1. Do I need a permit to operate a restaurant, grocery store, tavern or similar facility?

Yes, you do need a permit. You will need to apply for a permit, submit a floor plan and menu information, and pay an annual permit fee. After receiving a permit, Whatcom County Health and Community Services staff will inspect the facility to ensure safe food handling practices.

2. I just bought a food establishment business, what permits do I need from Whatcom County Health and Community Services?

You will need to complete a Change of Ownership Packet and obtain a food establishment permit through our office. You may return completed paperwork to our office and pay the associated fees. Contact our office to determine the cost. Next, you may schedule an inspection with a Whatcom County Health and Community Services Inspector.

3. I am planning to open a restaurant or other food establishment in Whatcom County, what should I do first?

You will need to provide detailed construction plans and information on your proposed menu and method of food preparation. This information is included in the Plan Review Packet.

4. What is a temporary food establishment?

A temporary food establishment is a food establishment that operates at a fixed location, with a fixed menu, for no more than 21 consecutive days in conjunction with a single event or celebration, such as a fair or festival.

5. What events require a temporary food establishment permit?

Individuals or groups planning to hold events that are open to the public must obtain a permit. Whatcom County Health and Community Services requires that each food booth or vendor operating during an event obtains a temporary permit.

6. What permits do I need to sell food at a fair, festival or community event?

You need to purchase a Temporary Food Establishment Permit from our office. Please contact our office at least two (2) weeks before your event, so we can process the application and issue a permit before purchasing or preparing food. For more information, please visit our Food Permits webpage.

7. What is a public event?

A public event is any organized event advertised in any way to the public such as flyers, newspaper articles or ads, radio, or social media. A public event is open to the public and offers food during the event. The requirements do not change if the food sold is for profit or provided at no charge.

8. What forms of payment do you accept?

At this time we accept cash, debit or credit cards. There is a convenience fee on debit and credit card transactions. Payment must accompany the application. Do not email the completed application to our office.

9. How do I receive my permit?

Once we review and approve your permit, we will email you a PDF unless you request otherwise. You will need to print a copy of the permit to post at the event.

10. Do I still need a permit if I am not charging for the food?

Yes, you still need a permit. Permit fee waivers are possible for meals served to people in need. Contact our office at 360-778-6000 for more information.

11. Where do I obtain a food worker card?

To get a food worker card, you must take the online food worker course. You can obtain a food worker card online for $10. You may also purchase (cash, debit or credit card) and pick up the food worker card at our office during business hours.

Food Worker Card

12. I have a current food worker card, do I still need a temporary food establishment permit?

You need to complete the coordinator’s checklist. Submit this paperwork at least one month before your event. You may add food vendors after you submit the application; contact our office with the information you need to add to your application.

13. I am organizing an event and I want to invite multiple food vendors. What do I need to do?

You need to complete the coordinator’s checklist. We ask that you submit this paperwork at least one month before your event. You may add food vendors once the application is submitted; just contact our office with the information. 

14. I am a permitted caterer in Whatcom County, do I need a permit to offer food at an event?

Caterers are not exempt from temporary food establishment permits even though they may currently have a permit. Caterers who choose to operate at a temporary event must apply for a temporary food establishment permit.

15. What type of equipment do I need to operate a temporary food establishment event?

In addition to a hand washing sink, you need to have enough functioning equipment to keep potentially hazardous food at the proper temperature. The outdoor booths must have an overhead cover over storage areas, food preparation, cooking and serving areas. You need walls when it is necessary to protect food and food equipment from the elements.

If you use ice chests ensure you have enough ice to completely submerge food so that it can hold food at 41°F or less. Keep ice chests and refrigerators out of direct sunlight. Equipment must hold food at 135°F or hotter. Sterno chafers are not allowed at events unless the event is indoors and less than four hours. You must have a thermometer to ensure foods are holding properly and are cooked to the proper temperatures.

For more information on setting up and operating temporary food establishments, please see the Checklist for Temporary Food Establishment Operation. 

 

Checklist for Temporary Food (PDF)

16. I’m an out of county food vendor: what type of permit do I need to offer food at an event and can I make food at my restaurant and serve it at a Whatcom County event?

Out of county vendors need a temporary food establishment permit. The type of permit depends on menu and duration of event. In addition, complex food preparation may need to occur in a Whatcom County commissary kitchen. Visit our Food Permits webpage for more information.

17. I have a current permit for operating a mobile unit in Whatcom County: do I need an additional permit to operate at a temporary event?

Permitted mobile units may operate anytime, anywhere in Whatcom County including events (with the coordinators permission). As long as you bring the mobile unit to the event and are offering the same menu items as listed in your approved plan of operation, you need no additional permits from our office. Mobile units must have a local commissary kitchen to service the mobile unit.

If you have a mobile unit, but want to operate out of a booth for an event, you must apply for and obtain a temporary food establishment permit, even if the menu is the same. If you are interested in operating a mobile unit please read the Mobile Food Plan Review Packet for more information.

Mobile Food Plan Review Packet (PDF)

18. What permit do I need to operate at the Northwest Washington Fair (NWWF)?

If you plan to operate at the NWWF, you will need a NW Washington Fair Permit. These permits are valid for the length of the fair only.
If you have a current temporary food establishment permit (multiple event or a multiple location farmers market permit) you may operate at the NWWF without additional permitting if you offer the same menu items.

19. What type of produce am I allowed to offer at a temporary food establishment event?

You must purchase pre-washed produce or you must wash your produce at a commercial kitchen or permitted food establishment. You cannot wash produce at the event site unless the venue has a dedicated produce preparation sink. You cannot wash produce in a residential kitchen.

20. Where do I clean utensils?

For one day events, bring enough extra utensils for the following: to change out utensils every four hours, to replace dropped utensils and to replace other contaminated utensils. You must  change utensils that come in contact with potentially hazardous foods every four hours if utensil cleaning facilities are not available on site.

If your event is more than one day and you are applying for a temporary food establishment permit, you need to have a plumbed three compartment sink or commercial dishwasher to wash and sanitize utensils. If the event venue does not have a plumbed three compartment sink or commercial dishwasher, you must have a commissary agreement with a local commercial kitchen. If you have a food establishment permit in Whatcom County, you may use your dishwashing facilities for utensil cleaning.

Some menu items, like smoothies made with dairy, soy or protein products, require frequent cleaning and vendors will need access to a plumbed three compartment sink at the event site. Whatcom County does not allow the three tub method for utensil washing and sanitizing at temporary events.

21. My proposed menu requires advanced preparation of food, can I make and prepare food at home?

You may not make food at home for sale to the public unless it is for a bake sale. You may not prepare any foods on site that require multiple steps or extensive assembly. You must make any advanced menu preparation in a commercial kitchen with equipment to support your menu.

22. Can I cook food, cool it down and reheat it later for service?

No, hot food must be made the day of the event, held hot and served. Discard any leftover hot food; do not save and re-serve it to the public.

23. I would like to have a petting zoo at my event: what are the requirements?

Operators of petting zoos, county fairs, pony rides, or any similar settings that encourage contact with animals must post a warning sign for visitors about the potential risk of disease. They are to provide easy access to hand washing stations, or as an alternative, an approved method using hand sanitizers. Operators must also post signs at each exit of an animal exhibit reminding visitors to wash their hands.

Animal Venue Operator Requirements

24. Do I need any additional permits to have a temporary food establishment event?

The local municipality may require a permit for gathering in a public area or to vend food on a public right of way. Contact the city or county in which you are operating for more information.

25. How do I find out more information?

If you have additional questions, please call our office to leave a message or schedule an appointment.