Food truck licenses
in Seattle, Washington
Start with the main licenses and permits below. For a checklist based on your own business, tell us what you’re opening and how it will operate.
Researched Sep 2026
About this example
The business is a food truck operating in Seattle, Washington, serving customers in person and online, and employing W-2 staff. It is required to comply with federal, state, county, and city regulations for food service operations.
Requirement labels below refer to this setup. Conditional items depend on additional details.
Authorities researched
- Federal
- Federal Government
- State
- Washington State
- County
- King County
- City
- City of Seattle
Details to confirm before you apply
- What is the exact current fee for the King County Mobile Food Service Business Permit?
- What is the exact fee for the Seattle Fire Marshal Permit?
- Does King County require a certified food protection manager (CFPM) on staff?
- What is the validity period for the Food Worker Card?
- Are there any additional local permits required for specific vending locations in Seattle?
- What are the insurance requirements for the SDOT Street Use Vending Permit?
- Confirm with the responsible agencies whether additional requirements apply in these areas: State unemployment insurance employer account; Workers' compensation coverage; New-hire reporting; Commercial vehicle rules; Food-manager certification and presence rules. These areas remain unresolved in this guide.
The main licenses and permits
6 of 13- 01Mobile Food Unit Plan ReviewPublic Health – Seattle & King County, Environmental Health · County
King County requires plan review and approval of the food truck's floor plans, equipment list, menu, and water/waste systems before construction or operation of a mobile food unit.
RequiredOne-time (per unit before operation); the operating permit is renewed separately - 02Mobile Food Service Business Permit (food truck)Public Health – Seattle & King County (Environmental Health, Food Business Permits) · County
The business prepares and serves food to the public from a mobile unit (food truck) operating in King County, and King County requires a permit before any retail food service operates.
RequiredAnnual - 03Food Worker Card (for employees who handle food)Public Health - Seattle & King County (Food Safety Program) · County
The business will have W-2 employees preparing and serving food, and King County requires food workers to hold a valid Food Worker Card.
RequiredNot published - 04Washington State Business License (Unified Business Identifier / UBI)Washington Department of Revenue, Business Licensing Service · Washington
Washington's statewide business license is required because the business will hire employees, sell taxable products, and operate under a business name; it assigns the UBI number used for all state tax and licensing accounts.
RequiredAnnual; $5 renewal processing fee plus endorsement fees; late renewals charged a penalty of half the endorsement fee or up to $150 - 05Seattle Business License Tax Certificate (general business license)City of Seattle — Department of Finance and Administrative Services (City Finance) · Seattle
Anyone doing business in Seattle, including retail sales and services, must hold a Seattle business license tax certificate; a food truck vending in Seattle is doing business in the City.
RequiredAnnual. All certificates expire December 31; renewal payment must be received/postmarked by December 31. - 06Seattle Fire Marshal Permit for food vendors using LPG/propane, solid fuel, open flame, or charcoalSeattle Fire Department - Fire Prevention Division (Permits) · Seattle
The truck prepares and serves food; cooking on board with propane requires a permit.
RequiredAnnual — permit is good for 12 months.
This example includes 7 other potential requirements. A report based on your business explains which apply, how to file, published fees and timing, and what to complete first.
Make the checklist yours
Your location, activities, and business structure can change the list. Get a free preview for your business, then decide whether to unlock the full report for $49.
Questions people ask
What city business licenses or registrations should a food truck in Seattle check?
Our research identifies Seattle Business License Tax Certificate (general business license), issued by City of Seattle — Department of Finance and Administrative Services (City Finance), as required. Anyone doing business in Seattle, including retail sales and services, must hold a Seattle business license tax certificate; a food truck vending in Seattle is doing business in the City. Check the other city permits in this guide and confirm the requirements for your premises and activities.
How much do licenses and permits cost for a food truck in Seattle?
About $10 in published fixed fees, plus variable fees. Several items have fees that depend on your entity type, square footage, or payroll, so the full report lists each fee as the agency publishes it.
What should I do first?
Review Employer Identification Number (EIN) (Internal Revenue Service (IRS)), then Federal employment tax registration and filing (income tax withholding, Social Security, Medicare, FUTA) (Internal Revenue Service (IRS)), then Business entity formation (Certificate of Formation) with the Washington Secretary of State (if applicable) (Washington Secretary of State, Corporations & Charities Division). Confirm each item's applicability and prerequisites before applying; the report provides a suggested order for the full checklist.
Is this legal advice?
No. It is a research summary of public requirements published by government agencies, each linked to its official page. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.
Related guides
Researched from official government sources on September 2, 2026 for a typical food truck. Requirements change and depend on your facts; this page is not legal advice. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.