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Franklin County, WA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Annual fee
$75 per year
Extra-vehicle fee
$10 per additional vehicle in the operation
Issuing agency
Planning and Building Department
Must display
Registration carried on person or displayed at business
Renewal deadline
February 28; $15 late fee after
Unregistered penalty
$25 per day of operation
Coverage
Unincorporated Franklin County only

Summary

Anyone selling food or merchandise from a vehicle on public streets, alleys or public ways in unincorporated Franklin County must register as a 'mobile vendor' with the Planning and Building Department under Franklin County Code § 5.04.110(C)(21), paying $75 a year plus $10 for each extra vehicle in the operation.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Franklin County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

21.Mobile Vendor. A "mobile vendor" means a vendor or seller of merchandise or food from a vehicle or other conveyances upon public streets, alleys or on public ways of the county, shall pay a fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) annually, seventy-five dollars ($75.00) annually effective January 1, 2008, plus ten dollars ($10.00) for each additional vehicle operated by the same operation.

Full Breakdown

110(C)(21) defines a 'mobile vendor' as a vendor or seller of merchandise or food from a vehicle or other conveyance upon the public streets, alleys or public ways of the county, and sets the registration fee at $75 a year, effective January 1, 2008 (up from $50), plus $10 for each additional vehicle the same operation runs. 060 has the department circulate the application to the building department, fire marshal and other county offices for review before the director grants it. 080(C) requires the registration be displayed conspicuously at the place of business or, since a mobile vendor has no fixed location, carried on the operator's person while vending.

080(D). 04's requirements are countywide, a mobile vendor moving between unincorporated areas and Pasco, Connell, Mesa or Kahlotus needs to check each city's own licensing rules separately, since this county registration only covers operation in the unincorporated county.

Violations & Fines

Operating as a mobile vendor without the county registration triggers a $25-per-day penalty under Section 5.04.140, added to the fee owed. A separate violation of Chapter 5.04, including failing to display or carry the registration, is a misdemeanor under Section 5.04.160 punishable by up to $1,000 in fines, up to 90 days in county jail, or both, and each day of unregistered operation counts as a separate offense under Section 5.04.150.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a food truck permit cost in Franklin County?
Franklin County Code § 5.04.110(C)(21) sets the mobile vendor registration fee at $75 a year, plus $10 for each additional vehicle the same vending operation runs. The Planning and Building Department issues the registration after routing the application to the fire marshal and building department for review under Section 5.04.060.
Do I need a separate permit for each food truck I run?
You pay the base $75 annual mobile vendor fee once, then $10 for every additional vehicle operated by the same business under Section 5.04.110(C)(21). All vehicles fall under one registration issued by the Planning and Building Department, which must be displayed or carried while vending.
Does this registration let me vend inside Pasco or Connell?
No. Chapter 5.04's mobile vendor registration covers only the unincorporated areas of Franklin County. Pasco, Connell, Mesa and Kahlotus each regulate their own city limits separately, so a mobile vendor working inside any of those cities needs that city's own license in addition to, or instead of, the county registration.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Franklin County

All Franklin County rules

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