Permits, licensing, health authority, costs, and veteran-business programs for launching a food truck in Washington.
Permits & licensing
- Form a WA entity with the Secretary of State; obtain an EIN.
- Register for a Washington State Business License via DOR (covers state UBI and city endorsements in many cases).
- Apply for the Mobile Food Unit permit with the operating local health jurisdiction; submit plan review with truck schematics and commissary letter; pass pre-operational inspection.
- Obtain city-specific endorsements (Seattle has additional vehicle endorsements).
- Complete WA Food Worker Cards for each employee and Person In Charge / CFPM credentials.
Health inspection
Inspections under WAC 246-215 cover potable/wastewater tank ratios, handwash sink, temperature control, fire suppression, employee health, and commissary records. Common failures: tank ratio non-compliance, expired commissary letter, lapsed food worker cards.
Commissary requirement
WAC 246-215 requires MFUs to operate from an approved commissary. Confirm unit class with the local health jurisdiction before build.
Cost breakdown
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Used truck or trailer build | $40,000 | $120,000 |
| Permits + licenses (year 1) | $1,500 | $4,500 |
| Commissary (monthly x 6 mo) | $3,000 | $8,400 |
| Insurance (annual) | $2,800 | $6,000 |
| Initial inventory | $2,500 | $5,500 |
| Working capital reserve | $15,200 | $45,600 |
| Total | $65,000 | $190,000 |
Top metros to start in
-
Seattle / Bellevue
Mature market, strong tech-campus catering, high regulatory bar.
-
Tacoma
JBLM-adjacent catering, lower entry costs than Seattle.
-
Spokane
Growing market, strong event circuit.
Common mistakes
- Underestimating Seattle plan-review timelines.
- Missing the city of Seattle vehicle endorsement on top of the King County permit.
- Skipping the JBLM base-access process when Tacoma-area military catering is in the plan, or treating Spokane as covered by King County (separate regional district).
Related FAQs
How do I get a mobile food permit?
Apply through your county or city health department for a mobile food facility permit, plus a business license from your city clerk and a sales tax permit from your state revenue department. Most jurisdictions require a plan review, commissary letter, and onsite truck inspection before issuing.
How do I find a commissary kitchen?
Search "commissary kitchen near me" plus directories like The Kitchen Door, CloudKitchens, and your local food truck association vendor list. Tour at least three. Confirm 24/7 access, dry and cold storage, grease trap, potable water fill, and wastewater dump before signing a month-to-month agreement.
How much does it cost to start a food truck in 2026?
Total startup typically ranges from $50,000 to $200,000+ depending on used vs. new truck, market, and equipment. Food Truck Empire and Restaurant Business industry surveys consistently report most first-time operators land in roughly the $75,000-$150,000 range including truck, equipment, permits, and 90-day working capital.
How do I write a food truck business plan?
A food truck business plan needs seven sections: executive summary, concept and menu, market analysis, operations (truck, commissary, staffing), marketing, financial projections (3 years), and funding request. Use the free SBA Learning Center template as your skeleton, then layer in mobile-specific details like service locations and event calendar.
How much insurance do I really need?
At minimum: commercial auto, general liability ($1M/$2M typical), product liability, property coverage for equipment, and workers compensation if you have employees. Add an umbrella ($1-5M) and event-specific coverage as needed. Total premiums commonly fall in a $2,500-$6,000 range per year.