Thurston County Extends Food Establishment Permit Expiration Dates by Six Months

Food establishment permit expiration dates will extend by six months, after a unanimous vote by the Thurston County Board of Health. Those permits were slated to expire on January 31, 2021. This extension will allow more than 1,083 food establishment permit holders to delay renewal payments as a result of COVID-19 economic hardships. Late fees will also be waived.

New food permits will be mailed out to currently permitted establishments beginning next week. Food establishments such as espresso stands, grocery stores, food trucks, restaurants and bars, are required to have current permits and follow local and state health codes and laws. Food establishments must undergo regular health and safety inspections and pay annual fees to the Thurston County Public Health and Social Services Department (PHSS). The fees fund the food establishment inspection program for Thurston County.  The Board of Health made a similar extension last summer.  The permit fees will remain the same and will still need to be paid by Saturday, July 31, 2021.

The extension does not apply to temporary food establishment permits, as those permits are not on-going and inspections of temporary events are still required.