Restaurants, commercial kitchens, and food trucks.
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD), Food & Community Safety · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Pierce County food-facility health permits run about $817–$1,329 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Plan review runs about $639–$1,139. Confirm the exact amount with Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD), Food & Community Safety before you budget.
Confirm the authority for your exact address. Some cities run their own health division, and building, planning, fire, sewer/grease and business-license approvals are separate even when Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD), Food & Community Safety issues the health permit.
About 1,667 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 928,696. (U.S. Census 2023 estimate; County Business Patterns 2022, NAICS 722)
Last verified: 2026-08-17 — we re-confirmed the serving authority, its contact, and that the fees below match the current published schedule. Fee schedules may carry an earlier effective date (shown per fee); local ordinances & amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date? Report an update →
Restaurant / food-facility permit
Food Establishment Annual Permit (by seating)
0-25 seats $817
26-74 seats $1,051
75+ seats $1,329 (2025 adopted rates)
Permits expire Jan 31 each year; renewal invoices due Feb 1. Late fees escalate 25% (1-30 days) then +25% (31-60); 61+ days subject to closure; Other categories: Bakery $504, Low Risk (tavern/tasting room) $621, Buffet 125+ seats $1,799. UPDATE 2026-08-10: A 2026 Fee Schedule was adopted by the Board of Health on 12/3/2025 (effective Jan 1, 2026); Confirm current amounts on the 2026 schedule
Plan review — required
New establishment $1,139
Menu/Process change or Remodel $639 (flat, per permit, incl
water adequacy office review)
2025 adopted rates
Turnaround: Usually respond within ~10 days with approval or questions; longer during high-volume periods
Tacoma-Pierce requires a food-safety rating sign posted at all entrances/drive-thrus; ratings and reports online.
Food truck / mobile permit
Mobile Food Unit Permit (Low Risk / High Risk)
Mobile Food Unit-High Risk $504/yr (2025)
Low-risk annual fee also listed but not cleanly legible in the extracted 2025 fee schedule
Same plan review process required; Must comply with WA Dept; of Labor & Industries requirements; limited-menu operation possible under variance; 2026 fee schedule adopted (eff; 2025 rates shown pending confirmation
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
How Pierce County’s permit cost compares
At about $817/year, Pierce County’s restaurant health permit is above the Washington median ($292) and above the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 100% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 30th-lowest of 30 Washington counties by permit cost.
Comparison uses the lowest published annual restaurant-permit figure in each county; confirm your exact tier with the department.
Local food-service market
About 1,667 food & drinking establishments serve ~928,696 residents in Pierce County — one per ~557 residents, sparser than the Washington average (one per ~521).
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Budget the permit stack
Start with ~$817 annual health permit + $639 plan review.
Plus building, fire, and business-license fees that vary locally — use the cost calculators and the checklist below to budget the full stack.
Watch out for
One plan review application covers new businesses, menu/equipment changes, and remodels; fee is non-refundable
Fees benchmarked to a 2025 hourly rate of ~$230/hr for after-hours/weekend or AEE (added enforcement) services
Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction
Category
Annual fee
Notes
commissary/central kitchen
—
Commissary Kitchens permit category referenced; fee via Accela portal (not published on page)
temporary/seasonal/special-event
—
Temporary Events permit category referenced; fee not published
market/grocery with deli
—
Farmers Markets and Farm Stands permit categories referenced; fee not published
Equipment your Pierce County plan review will check
Health-department plan review looks for specific, code-compliant fixtures. Compare spec-filtered options, then confirm counts and sizes with your local requirements. See the full list in what equipment a commercial kitchen requires.
0-25 seats $817; 26-74 seats $1,051; 75+ seats $1,329 (2025 adopted rates) These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Pierce County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: New establishment $1,139; Menu/Process change or Remodel $639 (flat, per permit, incl; water adequacy office review); 2025 adopted rates
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Pierce County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Same plan review process required; Must comply with WA Dept; of Labor & Industries requirements; limited-menu operation possible under variance; 2026 fee schedule adopted (eff; 2025 rates shown pending confirmation
Who issues food permits in Pierce County?
Food permits here are issued by Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD), Food & Community Safety. See the department site for current details.
Are city building and fire approvals separate?
Yes — building, plumbing, mechanical and fire approvals are always separate from the health permit and are often handled by different offices.
Published by Resultex Media Group LLC · Independent & vendor-neutral · Educational only, not legal or engineering advice · Last verified September 2026