Asotin County Health District is requiring that every Food Service Establishment have at least one Certified Food Protection Manager on staff, as evidenced by a valid certificate available from an accredited program. 

List of accredited organization that issue certified food protection manager certifications
Please remember that you are responsible for knowing the food codes and regulations. There have been changes as of March 2022. The Washington Retail Food Code Chapter 246-215 can be located at the link below. 
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Washington Administrative Code

Helpful Food Code Definitions:

Food Establishment: Food establishment means an operation that:
(i) Stores, prepares, packages, serves, and vends food directly to the consumer, or otherwise provides food for human consumption such as a restaurant; satellite or catered feeding location; catering operation if the operation provides food directly to a consumer; or to a conveyance used to transport people; institution; or food bank; and
(ii) Relinquishes possession of food to a consumer directly, or indirectly through a delivery service such as home delivery or grocery orders or restaurant takeout orders, or delivery service that is provided by common carriers.
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Food Establishment includes:
(i) An element of the operation such as a transportation vehicle or a central preparation facility that supplies a vending location or satellite feeding location unless the vending or feeding location is permitted by the regulatory authority; and
(ii) An operation that is conducted in a mobile, stationary, temporary, or permanent facility or location; where consumption is on or off the premises; and regardless of whether there is a charge for the food.
​Food Permit: Means the document issued by the REGULATORY AUTHORITY (Asotin County Health District) that authorizes a person to operate a food establishment.
Food Worker Card: a food and beverage service worker's permit as required under chapter 69.06 RCW This service workers permit is for all people who serve food to the public. Learn more about food worker cards here. 
Cottage Food Permit:  ISSUED through the WSDA and is different than a Food Establishment Permit issued by Asotin County Health District.

Asotin County Health District does NOT permit home kitchens. A Cottage Food Permit allows a resident of Washington State to make food that is not potentially hazardous such as baked goods, candies, jams, jellies, preserves, fruit butters, dry spice blends, or dry tea blends in their primary residential kitchen.

There were several changes made to Cottage Food Permits in July 2023. Learn more about applying for a Cottage Food Permit, including application and fees here. 
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Contact: General Information: (360) 902-1876
Email: cottagefoods@agr.wa.gov
Laws and Rules: 
Chapter 69.22 RCW Cottage Food Operations 
Chapter 16-149 WAC Cottage Foods

​Food Establishment Permits 

​Get information about starting or continuing operation of a food establishment including regulations, plan review requirements, fees, applications, ownership changes, and more. Determine the other agencies that also require approval.

Click here for information about food permits, including application forms and fee schedule. 
​Learn more about temporary food permits here. 

All food permits expire January 31st of each year. It is the responsibility of the owner to ensure the permit is renewed each year. Food permits for new establishments approved after January 31 may have the fee prorated. 

New Food Establishment


Permit Process:
1) Submit plan review packet BEFORE construction begins AND at least 14 days before projected opening date. Be sure all required items on the Plan Review Checklist are included, including the non-refundable Plan Review fee. 

2) Wait for approval. It may take up to 30 days for a response letter to let you know if the project is approved. We recommend you do not purchase equipment or begin construction until you have approval from ACHD. 

3) Pass inspection. Schedule a pre-operational inspection to take place 3-7 days before opening. 

4) Pay for permit once you have passed the pre-operational inspection. Submit the Annual Permit Application and any applicable fees. Once you have approval from other applicable agencies such as local building inspector and/or fire marshal, you are approved to open your business. Operating permits expire January 31st of each year. 
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Select the appropriate plan review packet below based on the type of food establishment operation you are proposing.

Temporary Food Permits

Temporary Food Permit Information
Temporary Food Permit Application
Farmer's Market Permit Information
​Fee Schedule

What is a Temporary Food Establishment?

A Temporary Food Establishment (WAC 246-215-131) is where a person prepares or sells foods with a fixed menu at a fixed location for (a) no more than 21 consecutive days in conjunction with a single event, such as a fair, or (b) no more than three days a week in conjunction with an approved, recurring event, such as a farmers market. 

​All individuals or groups planning to hold events that serve food and are open to the public are required to obtain a permit. If you advertise (with newspaper, television or radio announcements, flyers, signs, banners or other means) to the public, you are required to get a permit.
Permit Process
  1. Complete the temporary application. Return the completed application to our office at least 7 business days before the event. If the application is not submitted at least 7 business days before the event we will not issue a permit. We no longer will be accepting late submissions with a late charge. 
  2. Have your application reviewed and approved by the health district. 
  3. Pay the appropriate fee (the fee schedule is printed on the application).
  4. Make sure at least 1 person with a valid Washington State Food Worker Card is in the booth at all times.
  5. Post the permit in your booth.

For more information about the requirements of a temporary food permit booth, click here. 

Donated Food Distribution Organizations (DFDO)

In order to operate as a DFDO, you must have a permit. Among other requirements, you must be registered as a non-profit 501(c) as recognized by the IRS, the food is intended for a needy population and there cannot be a fee for the food. 
Process for Becoming a DFDO or reviewed Free Food Pantry
DFDO Questionnaire

Current Approved Donated Food Distribution Organizations

Food Rescue Rules

Food Rescues, otherwise known as Shared Pantry, do not need a plan review if they contain only exempt foods as described below. For questions or more information about Food Rescues/Shared Pantries please call 509.243.3343