Restaurants, commercial kitchens, and food trucks.
Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD), Food Safety Program · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Spokane County food-facility health permits run about $290–$850 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Plan review runs about $90–$270. Confirm the exact amount with Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD), Food Safety Program 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 Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD), Food Safety Program issues the health permit.
About 1,150 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 551,455. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 →
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
How Spokane County’s permit cost compares
At about $290/year, Spokane County’s restaurant health permit is below the Washington median ($292) and above the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 92% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 15th-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 1,150 food & drinking establishments serve ~551,455 residents in Spokane County — one per ~480 residents, denser than the Washington average (one per ~521).
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Budget the permit stack
Start with ~$290 annual health permit + $90 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
New-establishment permit applications must be submitted at least 14 days before projected opening or a penalty of 100% of the permit fee is assessed
Plan review must be completed and approved by the Food Safety Program before any building permits can be issued
Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction
Category
Annual fee
Notes
caterer
—
Caterer permit; must operate >=1 year with >=1 routine inspection as Caterer to work temporary events; fee on SRHD fee schedule (page not accessible)
commissary/central kitchen
—
Commissary Agreement required if operating with an approved commissary; fee not published
temporary/seasonal/special-event
—
Temporary Food Establishment (TFE) permit; submit >=14 days prior to event to avoid additional fees; fee not published on accessible page
Equipment your Spokane 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.
Food establishment $290-$380/yr by type; Complex food establishment $850; Seasonal complex $425; School cafeteria $300 (fee schedule) These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Spokane County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: Plan review submittal fee $270; HACCP-only review $180; Transfer of ownership fee $90
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Spokane County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Mobile unit plan review packet required; mobile inquiries 509.705.1411 ext; 3
Who issues food permits in Spokane County?
Food permits here are issued by Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD), Food Safety Program. 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