Food Safety Program Updates

Fee Program Update

The Board of Health passed Resolution HD-02-25 approving the new 2026 Food Fee Schedule. 

UPDATE 12/16/2025: The Board of Health passed Resolution HD-03-2025 

  • An amendment to the fee schedule was passed at the December Board of Health, amending the late fee structure of the 2026 Food Fee Schedule to reflect a flat 15% fee, instead of 35%.
  • This applies to all future permit renewals and all currently outstanding late permit fees for the current cycle that have not yet been paid as of the 16th of December, 2025.
  • All unrenewed licenses still expire on the 31st of December. Please note that establishments are required to have an active license to operate.
  • Click here to download a copy of the updated fee schedule. 

Overview of the 2026 Fee Schedule Changes

The proposed 2026 food program fee updates are designed to align better with actual staff time and permitting complexity, create consistency with neighboring jurisdictions, and support fair, sustainable program funding. These updates reduce annual fees for permanent food establishments in all risk categories while introducing more specific and equitable plan review, special process, and temporary event fee categories. 

Key Changes

  • Fee Reductions: Annual fees for permanent food establishments in Risk Categories 1–3 will decrease.
  • Fee Expansions: Plan Reviews and Temporary food event fees will reflect permitting effort, with updated tiers based on risk, frequency, and event type.
  • Consolidation of categories: simplifying fee categories into risk-based categories.
  • New Fee Categories:
    • Special Process Permits (e.g., sushi, vacuum packaging, fermentation)
    • Endorsements for catering, commissary use, and lounges
    • Temporary Event
    • Plan Reviews

Rationale

These changes reflect staff time involved in planning, inspection, and education for different categories of food establishments. Overall, reducing fees for permanent establishments supports our local food economy, while updating costs for time-intensive plan reviews and temporary event permitting, consistent with regional counties. This balanced, tiered approach supports fairness and sustainability in our permitting process. 

Resources and publications

Compliance ProcedureDone Editing

Island County Public Health has developed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for food safety enforcement. This updated approach focuses on identifying and resolving high-risk issues that cause foodborne illness. Our goal is to protect Island County residents and visitors by prioritizing education and working with food establishments to ensure safe food practices.

Standard Operating Procedures: