Lewis County, WA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit authority
- Lewis County health officer
- Covered units
- Food trucks, trailers, mobile restaurants
- Unpermitted operation
- Misdemeanor under RCW 70.05.120
- Suspension hearing
- Must request within 10 days
- After revocation
- 6-month wait to reapply
- Alternate penalty
- Civil penalty under LCC § 1.20.020
Summary
Operating a food truck in unincorporated Lewis County requires a valid health permit from the county health officer. Lewis County Code § 8.50.050 makes running a 'mobile food unit,' defined in § 17.10.130 as a readily movable food truck, trailer, or mobile restaurant, without that permit a misdemeanor under RCW 70.05.120.
§ 8.50.050. Permits required, suspension, revocation, enforcement. WAC 246-215-08600 is revised to read as follows: (1) Any person operating a food establishment without a valid permit issued by the health officer may be guilty of a misdemeanor under RCW 70.05.120 and this chapter. ... § 17.10.130. ... "M" definitions. ... "Mobile food unit" means a readily movable food establishment. This includes mobile food trucks, trailers and mobile restaurants.
Full Breakdown
50 of the Lewis County Code, which adopts the Washington State Board of Health's food service rules (Chapter 246-215 WAC) and the 2009 FDA Food Code by reference. 120. The health officer can suspend a permit immediately if the operation poses an imminent health hazard, fails to meet the regulations, or the permit holder interferes with an inspection; the operator must stop service at once and may request an administrative hearing within 10 days of the suspension notice, though filing the request does not pause the suspension.
A suspended operator can apply for reinspection at any time and ask to have the permit reinstated once back in compliance. Repeated or serious violations can lead to outright revocation after a hearing opportunity, with the revocation becoming final if no hearing request is filed within 10 calendar days of the notice; an operator whose permit was revoked must wait six months before applying for a new one. 020.
Violations & Fines
Operating a mobile food unit without a valid Lewis County health permit is punishable as a misdemeanor under RCW 70.05.120, per § 8.50.050(1), or as a civil penalty under § 1.20.020, per § 8.50.100. An imminent health hazard, noncompliant equipment, or interference with the health officer triggers immediate suspension under § 8.50.050(2), forcing the truck to stop service until a compliance hearing; serious or repeated violations can lead to revocation, after which the operator must wait six months to reapply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a food truck need a permit to operate in unincorporated Lewis County?
What happens if the health officer suspends my food truck's permit?
What's the penalty for running a food truck without a permit?
Can I get a new permit after a revocation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lewis County
Compare Lewis County to another location·View the Washington food trucks & mobile vendors overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.