*** Important information regarding the new 2021 Vendor code requirements ***
The State Building Code Council voted on September 15, 2023, to delay the effective date of the 2021 Washington State codes. The new code effective date will be March 15, 2024.
Please read:
If you have a food truck or trailer, we must inspect it before you start your business. Use this page to determine if you have a food truck or trailer, and follow the steps outlined to get an inspection.
Notice to customers…
If you are considering purchasing a food truck or trailer, please make sure the unit is inspected and approved for use in Washington, and has our insignia attached.
Insignia Tag Key:
Vendor No. - L&I assigned Manufacturer number for each customer file (also known as L&I sticker # with the local Health Department).
P.A. - Approved plan number.
D - Date L&I sticker is issued.
MSN - VIN (vehicle identification number) of mobile food unit.
VEN - Tag number assigned to unit.
Electrical Service Load - Amps/volts of unit.
Plumbing Fixtures - Number of plumbing fixtures in unit.
Heating and/or Cooling - Yes or no heating and/or cooling in unit.
Blank space - If the unit qualifies as plan exempt it will be noted here.
Do you have a food truck?
Please answer Yes or No to the following questions:
- Will you sell food or other items from the truck/trailer at temporary sites?
- Is the truck/trailer licensed as a vehicle?
- Do people work inside?
- Do customers stand on the outside (and not go inside)?
- Does it have at least one of the following:
- Electrical system 120v or greater.
- Water or drain system.
- Propane gas piping system.
- Is the truck/trailer no more than 8.5 feet wide?
If you answered "Yes" to all the questions above, you have a food truck or trailer. Check to see if you must submit plans.
If you answered "No" to any of the questions, you may have another type of unit that may require L&I approval. For example:
- If customers can go inside, you may have a commercial coach or modular building. Please contact the plan review staff at 1-800-705-1411, Option 3, or FAS1@Lni.wa.gov.
- If employees work outside, you may have a push cart or food delivery truck. These are not regulated by L&I. Contact the state Department of Health and/or local health department.
- See an example of a food truck label.
Note: Be sure to check with all local building departments where you plan to use your unit. Some building departments may not allow the use of food trucks / trailers in their jurisdiction. You may be required to have a commercial coach in that jurisdiction.
Plan review by licensed professionals
This process allows you to use an L&I-approved professional engineer or architect to review your plans.
Here’s how it works:
Choose either an L&I-approved professional engineer, or the standard review.
In either case, L&I must process all the plans. The L&I inspection process remains the same.
Conversion vendor units (food trucks) and medical units
Plan review and submittal guidelines
Standard procedures for existing plans
Note: When using this process, you will still need to pay filing fees with L&I, besides the cost of the private architect or engineer.
Contact us
FAS1@Lni.wa.gov
1-800-705-1411 Option 3
Mailing address
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
PO Box 44430
Olympia WA 98504-4430
Location
7273 Linderson Way SW
Tumwater WA 98501
Depending on the equipment you use on your food truck or trailer, you may need to submit plans for approval before scheduling an inspection. Answer the questions below to see if you need to submit plans to us.
Do you need to submit plans?
Answer Yes or No to the following questions.
Do you have:
- Commercial cooking equipment, such as a deep fryer, stove, or oven, which will require a commercial-grade ventilation hood and — in many cases — a fire suppression system? (This does not include espresso machines and other small, plug-in electrical appliances.)
- Cooking equipment that uses solid fuels such as wood or charcoal?
- A propane (or other fuel gas) piping system?
- An electrical system more than 50 amps, more than 240 volts, or more than 5 circuits?
- A source of alternate energy such as a photovoltaic system, or fuel cells?
- A bathroom or other plumbing for bodily waste?
- Does any individual piece of equipment weigh more than 500 pounds?
If you answered “Yes” to any of the questions, you need to submit plans to L&I and have them approved, before an inspection can take place. See Submit Plans tab.
If you answered “No” to all of the questions, then you do not need to submit plans. You still need an inspection for your vehicle. See Inspection Only tab.
Contact us
FAS1@Lni.wa.gov
1-800-705-1411 Option 3
Mailing address
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
PO Box 44430
Olympia WA 98504-4430
Location
7273 Linderson Way SW
Tumwater WA 98501
Follow these steps to submit plans for approval before getting your food truck inspected.
Notice: Because of the large number of requests, it can take several months for us to review plans. We will notify you if we need more information or if your plans have been approved.
First, download a plan review packet. It has examples of drawings and other information we will need to approve your plan.
Next, fill out the applications:
- Plan Approval Request (F622-035-000): Conversion Vendor Units Application.
- Application for Insignia Conversion (F623-021-000): Vendor Units.
Finally, email the completed packet to FAS1@Lni.wa.gov and we can set up online payment for the fees.
You can also submit your plans at your local L&I office and pay the fee by cash, check, money order, Visa and Mastercard or mail them in to the address below:
Department of Labor & Industries
Factory Assembled Structures
7273 Linderson Way SW
PO Box 44430
Olympia WA 98504-4430
We will notify you once your plan has been reviewed.
Be ready for the inspection. Use the Vendor/Medical Conversion Units Pre-Inspection Checklist (F622-072-000) to prepare for the inspection.
Remember: You will still be charged for an inspection even if your truck isn’t ready. Additional fees will be charged if extra inspections are necessary.
Once your truck passes inspection, you will have completed L&I's requirements for your food truck.
Contact us
FAS1@Lni.wa.gov
1-800-705-1411 Option 3
Mailing address
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
PO Box 44430
Olympia WA 98504-4430
Location
7273 Linderson Way SW
Tumwater WA 98501
Don't need to submit plans? You still need an inspection.
Food trucks need to be inspected to receive an L&I insignia. You need an inspection before starting your food truck business.
Notice: Once the application has been processed you will receive a notification via email that will include the inspection request form needed for requesting inspection.
Follow these steps to get an inspection:
Prepare for your inspection with our Vendor/Medical Conversion Units Pre-Inspection Checklist (F622-072-000) to prepare for the inspection. Note: You will be charged for an inspection if your truck isn't ready. You will be charged additional fees if extra inspections are needed.
First, complete the Insignia Application for Food Trucks and Concession Trailers That Do Not Require Plans (F623-040-000). The form indicates you don't need a plan, but still need an inspection to obtain your food truck insignia.
Next, include a payment of $51.80 for the insignia. We will notify you to schedule an inspection (see below).
Mail the completed packet to:
Department of Labor & Industries
Factory Assembled Structures
PO Box 44430
Olympia WA 98504-4430
You can also go to your local L&I office, and pay the fee by cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card.
Once your truck passes inspection, you have completed L&I's requirements for your food truck.
Contact us
FAS1@Lni.wa.gov
1-800-705-1411 Option 3
Mailing address
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
PO Box 44430
Olympia WA 98504-4430
Location
7273 Linderson Way SW
Tumwater WA 98501