Start with the agency that controls your proposed site and the service you need. These public agencies and providers describe their own services; listings are informational and do not imply an endorsement or a relationship with Griddle Trailbook. Confirm eligibility, availability, scope and current terms directly before relying on an entry.
Seattle and King County agencies
Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) — private-property vending, zoning and business licensing
Use SDCI’s mobile-food guidance to check private-property vending and zoning questions for Seattle lots. Seattle’s City business license is a separate City Finance step; check both for a Seattle operation.
Applies: Proposed private-property locations within Seattle city limits. Public right-of-way vending is handled separately by SDOT.
Eligibility / limits: Site and zoning approval depend on the property and proposed use; get property-owner permission and confirm the parcel-specific path with the City.
Sources: Seattle mobile-food vending guide · SDCI street food carts or trucks · Seattle business licenses.
Last checked: November 1, 2026.
Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) — public-space vending permits
Review SDOT Street Use vending information when you want to vend in Seattle’s public right-of-way, including public streets or sidewalks.
Applies: Seattle public right-of-way only; this does not grant permission for private lots or locations outside Seattle.
Eligibility / limits: Permit and location requirements depend on the proposed vending site and setup. Confirm the current application path and site rules with SDOT.
Source: SDOT vending permits.
Last checked: November 1, 2026.
Seattle Fire Department — mobile food cooking permits
Check Seattle Fire’s permit guidance for a mobile food preparation vehicle and cooking equipment. The City’s event guidance identifies propane/LPG and open-flame cooking as permit-relevant; requirements depend on the actual fuel and equipment.
Applies: Operations and events within Seattle Fire Department jurisdiction.
Eligibility / limits: A permit in Seattle does not automatically resolve fire requirements for every other jurisdiction where the unit may operate. Ask the applicable fire authority about your equipment and event.
Sources: Seattle Fire permits — food trucks · Seattle food and event permits.
Last checked: November 1, 2026.
Public Health — Seattle & King County — mobile permits, plan review and food-worker cards
Use the mobile-food permit and plan-review instructions before building or changing a mobile unit, and the food-worker-card page for Washington food-safety training and card information. Seattle’s event page also identifies the temporary food-service permit path for mobile vendors.
Applies: Seattle and King County food-service operations; check which local agency and permit apply to each planned location.
Eligibility / limits: Mobile-food categories include carts, trailers, trucks and kiosks; plan review is required before construction, remodeling or change of ownership. Food-worker-card training and card details are set by the public-health program.
Sources: Seattle mobile-food vending and Public Health guidance · Seattle special-event food permits · King County food-worker cards.
Last checked: November 1, 2026.
King County Public Health — mobile-food permit and plan review
King County explains its mobile food service business permit, online plan-review application and operating-permit steps. Its guidance says plans must be reviewed before construction, remodeling or a change of ownership.
Applies: Mobile food businesses operating in King County, including food carts, trailers, trucks and kiosks.
Eligibility / limits: The unit and proposed operation determine the application and supporting documents. Confirm the sequence directly with Public Health; unusual units may have additional state or local review.
Sources: King County mobile food service business permit · Online mobile-food plan review.
Last checked: November 1, 2026.
King County Fire — Special Event permits
King County’s Fire Special Event process covers temporary cooking facilities and food trucks at qualifying events. A complete application is due 30 calendar days before the event start date; that deadline applies only to this King County event-permit application.
Applies: Unincorporated King County only. Before applying, check whether the event site is in unincorporated King County or inside city limits; a city or other fire authority may have a separate process.
Eligibility / limits: Event type, site and temporary equipment determine whether this permit is needed. Do not treat it as a general operating permit for all King County locations.
Source: King County Fire and Special Event permits.
Last checked: November 1, 2026.
SBDC and other free startup help
Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Washington SBDC offers confidential, no-cost one-to-one advising for business planning, starting, growing or buying/selling a small business, with workshops and customized market research also available.
Applies: Washington statewide, including Seattle and King County; request an advisor through the SBDC network.
Eligibility / limits: For entrepreneurs and small-business owners. Advising is no-cost; workshops may be no-cost or low-cost, and advisor availability depends on the network.
Source: Washington SBDC services and coverage.
Last checked: November 1, 2026.
SCORE Washington — free small-business mentoring
SCORE offers volunteer mentoring and workshops for business planning, launch and operating questions. Its Washington page includes Seattle-area chapters and statewide service information.
Applies: Seattle, King County and communities across Washington.
Eligibility / limits: SCORE describes mentoring as free for aspiring or established owners of U.S.-based businesses. Mentors are matched to requests; availability and subject-matter fit vary.
Sources: SCORE Washington · How SCORE mentoring works.
Last checked: November 1, 2026.
Seattle Office of Economic Development — Accounting and Business Consulting Program
The City describes free one-to-one consulting in bookkeeping, business operations, loan readiness and financial planning, and marketing and branding.
Applies: Businesses and nonprofits physically located within Seattle city limits.
Eligibility / limits: The City’s current criteria include an active Seattle business license, no more than two locations, 50 or fewer full-time staff and annual gross revenue under $5 million. Verify the application window and current criteria on the City page.
Source: Seattle Accounting and Business Consulting Program.
Last checked: November 1, 2026.
Lenders
Business Impact NW — small-business lending and free coaching
This nonprofit CDFI offers business loans and free one-to-one coaching, classes and training for startup and established businesses.
Applies: Its provider FAQ lists Washington among the states served, including Seattle and King County.
Eligibility / limits: Loan applications are underwritten; the provider says it considers business purpose, repayment capacity and collateral, and generally expects the owner to have invested funds. Coaching is free; loan terms and approval are case-specific.
Source: Business Impact NW FAQ: service area, lending and coaching.
Last checked: November 1, 2026.
Craft3 — business loans for Washington and Oregon
Craft3 is a nonprofit lender offering business financing for startup, equipment and expansion needs in the Pacific Northwest.
Applies: Businesses and nonprofits in Washington and Oregon, including Seattle and King County applicants.
Eligibility / limits: Craft3’s current general-business-loan page specifically lists food-and-beverage startups among requests that are hard to fund. Ask whether your food-truck plan and use of funds fit before relying on this option; all financing is subject to lender review.
Source: Craft3 general business loans and fit information.
Last checked: November 1, 2026.
Food-truck builders
Food Trucks Northwest — design, builds and prebuilt units
The provider describes design/build services, prebuilt truck sales and Washington state compliance guidance for new and expanding mobile-food businesses.
Applies: The provider serves Washington operators and is listed by WSFTA as near South Seattle, making it a regional option to ask about Seattle and King County projects.
Eligibility / limits: Confirm current build, retrofit, delivery and quote availability directly. A builder’s work does not replace independent L&I, Public Health or fire-authority review or approval.
Sources: Food Trucks Northwest services · WSFTA builder-location and planning notes.
Last checked: November 1, 2026.
Evergreen Fab NW — custom food trailers
The provider advertises custom concession trailers and mobile kitchens from Auburn, Washington.
Applies: Auburn-based Western Washington provider; Seattle and King County operators can inquire about a trailer project.
Eligibility / limits: Trailer-focused; confirm the proposed menu, equipment, build scope, quote and delivery directly. Verify plans and approvals with Washington L&I, Public Health and the relevant fire authority before committing.
Source: Evergreen Fab NW food-trailer services.
Last checked: November 1, 2026.
Suppliers
Bargreen Ellingson — Seattle restaurant equipment and supplies
The Seattle showroom lists restaurant equipment, kitchen supplies, smallwares, appliances and a test kitchen for comparing selected equipment.
Applies: Seattle location serving home-kitchen and commercial-kitchen customers; King County operators can ask about pickup or delivery for their location.
Eligibility / limits: The provider does not state a food-truck-specific equipment package. Check mobile-unit dimensions, power, water, ventilation and approved-plan compatibility with your reviewer before buying.
Source: Bargreen Ellingson Seattle showroom.
Last checked: November 1, 2026.
US Foods CHEF’STORE — SODO wholesale food and restaurant supplies
The SODO store lists foodservice groceries, fresh food and restaurant supplies; the provider says its Washington stores are open to the public without a membership.
Applies: Seattle SODO location, with additional stores in the Seattle and King County region.
Eligibility / limits: Retail availability, inventory, order minimums and delivery options can vary by store and product. Confirm current stock and access directly.
Sources: CHEF’STORE SODO location · CHEF’STORE Washington locations and public access.
Last checked: November 1, 2026.
Washington State Food Truck Association (WSFTA)
WSFTA — consulting, member resources and managed vending locations
The association’s public pages describe hourly consulting for new vendors and operators with regulatory questions, member regulatory updates, a private Facebook member forum, member discounts and managed vending-location booking. Its consulting page currently describes paid hourly sessions; the scope and member services can differ.
Applies: Washington mobile-food businesses, including Seattle and King County operators.
Eligibility / limits: Member resources, forum, discounts and managed-location booking are member services. Consulting is offered by the hour, while the provider also describes some member information/support as available without a consulting charge. Verify the current membership, consulting fees and specific location availability directly.
Sources: WSFTA services and membership benefits · WSFTA consulting terms · WSFTA membership · Managed-location terms.
Last checked: November 1, 2026.
WSFTA / City of Pacific — reported one-year food-truck pilot
The supplied research snapshot and WSFTA’s provider page report a one-year City of Pacific food-truck pilot described as a partnership with the Port of Seattle. The snapshot-reported prerequisites are current WSFTA membership, a general City of Pacific business license, a King County health permit, proof of insurance and a recent fire inspection or permit from a King County regional fire authority. The currently linked WSFTA page lists a recent fire permit from a Pierce or King County authority and shows 2026 event dates; treat those as provider-published details, not independent official confirmation.
Applies: The reported locations are in the City of Pacific; this is not a Seattle vending permit or a general King County location program.
Eligibility / limits: Current openings, schedule, remaining pilot term and current member/service terms need human review. No current City of Pacific or Port of Seattle source confirming this specific Pacific pilot was found; do not assume a slot is available. No relationship or endorsement by the kit publisher is implied.
Sources: WSFTA City of Pacific pilot page and vendor terms · Port of Seattle food-truck pilot information. The Port page describes a separate Pier 69 program and does not confirm the Pacific pilot.
Last checked: November 1, 2026. Pilot details are included as a research snapshot and require current confirmation.
Needs human review Confirm whether the Pacific pilot is accepting vendors and whether the listed prerequisites and terms remain current before making plans.