Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Stevens County food-facility health permits run about $149–$303 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Plan review runs about $113. Confirm the exact amount with Northeast Tri County Health District 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 Northeast Tri County Health District issues the health permit.
About 66 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 48,837. (U.S. Census 2023 estimate; County Business Patterns 2022, NAICS 722)
Last verified: 2026-08-18 — 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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 Service Permit
$149/year (Simple)
$221 (Moderate)
$303 (Complex)
$221 (Catering)
Stevens County is served by the Northeast Tri County Health District (NETCHD, covering Ferry, Stevens, and Pend Oreille); Annual food service establishment operating permit by risk category, fee schedule effective January 1, 2026: Simple $149, Moderate $221, Complex $303, Catering $221
Plan review — required
Hourly rate (1-hour minimum) for plan review
plus $113 pre-opening inspection per new/remodeled establishment
How inspection results are scored/posted here is pending verification — ask the department.
Food truck / mobile permit
Mobile Food Unit
$118/year (Mobile Unit)
Mobile food unit annual operating permit $118 (2026); plan review hourly + $113 pre-opening inspection apply
How to apply
See the department site above.
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
How Stevens County’s permit cost compares
At about $149/year, Stevens County’s restaurant health permit is below the Washington median ($292) and above the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 61% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 5th-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 66 food & drinking establishments serve ~48,837 residents in Stevens County — one per ~740 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 ~$149 annual health permit.
Plus building, fire, and business-license fees that vary locally — use the cost calculators and the checklist below to budget the full stack.
Equipment your Stevens 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.
This is a typical sequence — confirm the exact sequence with your authority having jurisdiction.
Confirm whether Stevens County or another local jurisdiction (city/district) handles your exact address.
Confirm zoning and permitted use.
Prepare your menu and scaled plans.
Include an equipment schedule with ANSI/NSF spec sheets.
Submit water-heater and hood documentation.
Pay plan-review fees.
Respond to plan-check corrections.
Obtain Environmental Health plan approval.
Obtain building, plumbing, mechanical and fire approvals.
Schedule rough-plumbing, pre-final and final health inspections.
Pay the operating-permit / application fees.
Receive approval before storing or preparing food.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a food permit in Stevens County?
$149/year (Simple); $221 (Moderate); $303 (Complex); $221 (Catering) These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Stevens County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: Hourly rate (1-hour minimum) for plan review; plus $113 pre-opening inspection per new/remodeled establishment
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Stevens County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Mobile food unit annual operating permit $118 (2026); plan review hourly + $113 pre-opening inspection apply
Who issues food permits in Stevens County?
Food permits here are issued by Northeast Tri County Health District. 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