Transforming Your Space

Improve

You’ve completed your business planning, applied for licenses, and selected a location. Now it’s time to transform your space – first securing the necessary permits. Below are the types of permits you may need, what they are required for, as well as the time and costs to expect with them. More information is provided in the corresponding tabs below.

Pictures following a road that represent the different required permitsPermit Checklist

Health District Food Service Plan Review: Required for all; A plan review submittal fee of $195.00 is required at the time of submittal. This fee covers the first 1.5 hours of plan review. Any additional plan review time and all pre-opening inspection time is billed at the standard hourly rate of $130.00 per hour (2016 fee). The plan review takes approximately 14 days following receipt of a complete plan submittal.

Construction & Trade: See trade permits; All trade permits are issued over the counter. Remodels and new construction permits may take up to 10 days.

Sprinklers and Fire Alarms: Installing or upgrading sprinklers or fire alarms; Over the counter permits are available for minor projects; 7 to 10 days for major work for each cycle of review.

Signs: Installing or altering a sign; Most signs permits are issued over the counter. Temporary sign permit fees are $50.00 and permanent sign permit fees vary depending on the value of the sign.

Right-of-Way (ROW): ROW permits; ROW permit fees are dependent on the type of work being performed and the season in which it is completed. These permits are issued over the counter.

  1. Food Service
  2. Construction & Trade
  3. Fire Safety
  4. Signs
  5. ROW

Food Service Plan Review

The Spokane Regional Health District requires a plan review for all Food Establishments prior to operating. The plan review must be completed and approved by the Food Safety Program before any building permits can be issued to ensure you have the necessary facilities and equipment.

Note: Ownership transfers of existing Food Establishments that are currently permitted and operating do not require a plan review if there will be no changes in the facility, equipment or menu. Permit application and transfer fee must be submitted and approved before the ownership change occurs to avoid an Unapproved Ownership Change fee. Check with the Food Safety Program to clarify your responsibilities.

Plan Review Process provides detailed information about developing and submitting a plan, and about the approval process.

Time and Cost → A plan review submittal fee of $195 is required at the time of submittal.  This fee covers the first 1.5 hours of plan review.  Any additional plan review time and all pre-opening inspection time is billed at the standard hourly rate of $130 per hour (2016 fees). See the 2016 fee schedule for more specific fees.  The plan review takes approximately 14 days following receipt of a completed plan submittal.

When construction is complete, schedule a pre-opening inspection to verify the restaurant is in compliance with the approved plans. The annual Food Establishment Permit fee must be paid prior to scheduling the pre-operational inspection. To schedule your pre-operational inspection, contact the Health District at (509) 324-1560, ext. 2.

Have Questions?

Contact the Permit Center | Phone: 509-720-5240 | Monday – Friday | 8:00am to 5:00pm