Catering Permits

A catering permit allows you to serve food prepared in an approved kitchen for final cooking or service at another location during private events such as weddings, corporate events, etc.

A catering permit DOES NOT allow operation with a temporary setup on an ongoing basis unrelated to an approved event (such as at parks, parking lots, breweries, etc.). Such activity is not allowable per the Washington State Retail Food Code without a mobile food unit. 

Catering must meet the Washington State Retail Food Code definition below.  WAC 246-215-01115 (13) defines "Catering Operation" as either:

A) A person who contracts with a client to prepare a specific menu and amount of food in an approved food establishment for service to the client's guests or customers at a different location, or;
B) consistent with its application under 08325, a catering operation approved for a permit may cook or perform final preparation on certain food at the service location. 

If you currently have a licensed food and beverage establishment and would like approval for catering to serve food off-site, or if you would like a permit for a NEW catering operation, please contact our office at 360-414-5599 or askcowlitzEHS@cowlitzwa.gov.

Catering Forms and Applications
For best results, please download the below form you need and open in a PDF viewer (e.g., Foxit or Adobe Reader) before filling out.

Funeral HomesCowlitz County Permitted Caterers and Food Trucks
List of establishments that can operate at events without acquiring a temporary food permit.