Washington food trucks and trailers
We've taken our own builds through L&I, both plan-exempt and plan review, so we know where inspections fail and what the paperwork actually needs. Now we offer that help on its own, no build required.
You pay any L&I and county fees. L&I makes the final call on every unit.
L&I calls food trucks and trailers conversion vendor units. Under WAC 296-150V-0300, a unit needs plan review if it has any one of the items below. Answer for the unit as you plan to build it, not as it sits today.
Heads up: "no cooking" does not make a unit plan-exempt on its own. It comes down to this list.
Answer every question first. "Not sure" is a fine answer.
We'll send your answers, the checklist for your path, and nothing else unless you ask.
Exempt units skip the drawings, but L&I still inspects. You apply on form F623-040-000 and pay the $55.10 exempt insignia fee, plus inspection time and travel.
L&I inspection runs $111.80 an hour with a 1-hour minimum, plus travel at $111.80 an hour and mileage (WAC 296-150V-3000, effective 7/1/2026). You pay even if the unit isn't ready. It's cheaper to fix on paper than at inspection.
L&I covers the construction. Your county health department reviews the food side separately and will usually ask for spec sheets and finishes. We build the packet so both get what they need.
Prices are for our help. You pay any L&I and county fees at cost, and L&I makes the final call.
Pay by invoice (card or ACH through QuickBooks). Work starts once the invoice is paid.
Propane, a hood, fire suppression, a smoker, more than 30 A at 120 V, or more than 5 circuits.
Used Trailer Pre-Purchase Check: we look at the unit, its paperwork, and what L&I and the county will want before you hand over the money. Permits don't transfer with the sale.
Rush turnaround available for 25% more. Plan-review units with concentrated loads over 500 lb need a PE or architect stamp on the structural calc (WAC 296-150V-0930); we'll tell you up front if yours does.
King, Pierce and Snohomish County health departments. We prep the packet; you pay county fees at cost. The county makes the final call. Read the King County health permit guide for food trucks.
Already permitted in another WA county? Reciprocity filing: $149. Request an invoice
We handle intake, checklists, small exempt plan sets and walk your permits through city, health, fire and electrical. Jobs that need a WA architect or engineer stamp go to a licensed partner, and we coordinate.
Agency and partner fees are paid at cost. Agencies make the final call.
From my own builds
Plan review. A trailer I built with propane, a hood, fire suppression, and a 50 A/240 V panel. It sat in review about 6 months before it was stamped in June 2026. The independent licensed-professional review alone was $1,200, plus L&I's fees. The review flagged:
Plan-exempt. A customer's trailer I built, all-electric at 30 A/120 V, with no propane, hood, or generator. I applied Aug 13, 2026 and had the approval Aug 19, for a $55.10 fee. It passed inspection on the first try.
The equipment list decided the path. Check yours before you buy.
Send us a message with what you're building or buying. We'll tell you straight what it'll take.
Call or text 253-640-4848Evergreen Fab NW, a 1 OAK Catering Co service. Auburn, WA. King County health permit guide. We help with paperwork and drawings; L&I and your county health department approve. You pay any L&I and county fees.