Yakima Health District (YHD), Environmental Health Division · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Yakima County food-facility health permits run about $118–$662 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Plan review runs about $22–$132. Confirm the exact amount with Yakima Health District (YHD), Environmental Health Division 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 Yakima Health District (YHD), Environmental Health Division issues the health permit.
About 470 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 256,643. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 →
Risk level is assigned by an EH Specialist per YHD's risk-based categorization (L1 cold/reheat; L2 cook & hot-hold; L3 full prep/cool); YHD uses risk level, not square footage; Upgrades: L1->2 $181, L2->3 $132; multiple food service (new) $861 / renewal $630; late payment $60; hourly rate $132/hr; Amounts are from YHD's published fee schedule (2021 application); YHD held a public-input session on a fee update on 2026-04-13; as of 2026-08-10 NO new fee schedule has been adopted, so these figures remain current
Plan review — required
Bundled into the new-license fee (plan review component $22 L1 / $44 L2 / $66 L3)
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
How Yakima County’s permit cost compares
At about $118/year, Yakima County’s restaurant health permit is below the Washington median ($292) and below the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 46% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 1st-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 470 food & drinking establishments serve ~256,643 residents in Yakima County — one per ~546 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 ~$118 annual health permit + $22 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
Yakima Health District advertises some of the lowest food permit fees in Washington
YHD's schedule is driven by risk level (three levels), not by square footage
New-establishment fees bundle plan review and pre-opening inspection into the first-year license fee
YHD held a public-input session on a food permit fee update on 2026-04-13; as of 2026-08-10 no updated schedule has been adopted; Figures here are from the most recent published schedule (2021 application, DocumentCenter View 24066, still the current linked form)
Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction
Category
Annual fee
Notes
Caterer
Catering endorsement (add-on to a food establishment license) $180, published schedule (2021); source https://www.yakimacounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/24066/Food-and-Beverage-License-ApplicationRenewal
YHD offers a catering endorsement added to an existing risk-level license; a multi-event/catering application is used
Mobile units are priced by risk level; a plan review packet and approved commissary/servicing area are required
Equipment your Yakima 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.
Annual renewal: Risk Level 1 $118 / Level 2 $299 / Level 3 $431. New license (bundles plan review + pre-opening inspection): Level 1 $261 / Level 2 $486 / Level 3 $662; source https://www.yakimacounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/24066/Food-and-Beverage-License-ApplicationRenewal These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Yakima County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: Bundled into the new-license fee (plan review component $22 L1 / $44 L2 / $66 L3); additional time billed at $132/hr; source https://www.yakimacounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/24066/Food-and-Beverage-License-ApplicationRenewal
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Yakima County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Mobile units require a plan review packet and an approved commissary/servicing area
Who issues food permits in Yakima County?
Food permits here are issued by Yakima Health District (YHD), Environmental Health Division. 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