Skagit County, WA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permitting agency
- Skagit County Public Health Officer
- Temporary event limit
- 21 consecutive days or 3 days/week per season
- Permit transfer
- Nontransferable to new operator or location
- Revocation wait
- 6-month minimum before reapplying
- Governing chapter
- SCC Chapter 12.36, adopts WAC 246-215
Summary
Any person operating a food service establishment in unincorporated Skagit County, including a mobile or event-based operation, must hold a valid permit from the Health Officer under SCC 12.36.020. The code defines a temporary food service establishment as one running no more than 21 consecutive days, or three days a week per season, tied to a single event.
“Temporary food service establishment” shall mean a food service establishment that operates at a fixed location with a fixed menu for a period of time of not more than twenty-one (21) consecutive days or not more than three (3) days per week over a season in conjunction with a single event or celebration where the purpose of the food service establishment (including local and community events, church dinners and political fund raisers) is to serve the public, whether or not the permit holder charges for the food. ... Any person operating a food service establishment must have a valid permit from the Health Officer. The permit holder shall post the permit in a conspicuous location in the food service establishment.
Full Breakdown
36 SCC, which adopts WAC Chapter 246-215, Food Service, as the minimum standard for every food establishment operating in unincorporated Skagit County, including mobile units, food trucks and pop-up vendors at fairs, farmers markets and community events. 020 requires the permit holder to post the permit in a conspicuous location at the point of service, and the permit is nontransferable, both to a new operator and to any location other than the one named on it, so a mobile vendor working more than one site has to coordinate that requirement with SCPHD.
010(10) defines a "temporary food service establishment" as one that operates at a fixed location with a fixed menu for not more than twenty-one consecutive days, or not more than three days a week over a season, tied to a single event or celebration such as a community festival, church dinner or political fundraiser, whether or not the operator charges for the food. 36 violation, or revoked after a hearing for serious or repeated violations; a revoked operator must wait a minimum of six months before reapplying.
047, which require annual inspection of the sewage system by a certified operations and maintenance specialist and connection to a water system approved under Chapter 246-290 or 246-291 WAC.
Violations & Fines
Operating without a valid Health Officer permit or violating a Chapter 12.36 condition can draw the penalties in WAC 246-215-300 plus a fine set in the current Skagit County Public Health Schedule of Charges; each day of continued violation is a separate offense. The Health Officer enforces by entering the establishment at reasonable hours and can suspend or revoke the permit for noncompliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a food truck need a separate Skagit County permit for every event?
How long can a vendor operate at a single community event without a standard permit?
What happens if a mobile vendor's permit is suspended?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Skagit County
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