Meats (Beef, Pork, Lamb, Goat, Exotic)
How will your product be sold to consumers?
Pierce County
Agritourism activities are allowed if principal use is agriculture. Other permits may be required including a home occupation or cottage industry permit. See 18A.33.260A and 18A.37.110Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department
Possible creation of a Group B water system if public being served. If wastewater being generated and needing on-site sewage disposal, approval from Health Department would be required. Washington State Department of Agriculture
Custom exemption allows for 1/8 (or less if supporting paperwork available) of a carcass to be sold direct to customer.Pierce County
Agritourism activities are allowed if principal use is agriculture. Other permits may be required including a home occupation or cottage industry permit. See 18A.33.260A and 18A.37.110Tacoma-Pierce County Health District
If a "farm stand" is built with any- refrigeration or plumbing, will need a permit from either WSDA -OR- TPCHD
US Department of Agriculture
Only USDA inspected and packaged meats can be sold at farm stands. Just because a cut is sold “on-farm,” does not mean it’s under WSDA Custom exemption.Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department
Farmers Market Vendor permit.
US Department of Agriculture
Only USDA inspected and packaged meats can be sold at farmers marketPierce County
Parcel specific and dependent upon scale of operation-see 18A.33.260BTacoma-Pierce County Health Department & US Department of Agriculture
Only USDA inspected and packaged meats can be sold at retailers. Retail establishment will hold the TPCHD permit.
USDA
Only USDA inspected and packaged meats can be sold at retailers. Retail establishment will hold the TPCHD permit.
How does your product impact the land?
Pierce County
Review parcel for any zoning restrictions, critical area considerations, and requirements for permitting farm structures. Each parcel may have specific requirements. Specific County Code for livestock.
Pierce County
If planning on building a new structure and/or remodel an existing structure, contact the Planning & Public Works for specific requirements. Some agriculture structures are exempt from building requirements:
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department
If planning on building a new structure and/or remodel an existing structure, contact the Health Department for specific requirements related to on-site sewage disposal and domestic water supply.
Pierce County
If digging new well, site plan for well will be required through Planning & Public Works.
Tacoma-Pierce Health Department
Well construction application and approval required for exempt (under 5,000 gallons/day/residential) and non-exempt wells. There are livestock watering use exemptions.
Department of Ecology
Water rights (if requiring over 5,000 gallons or irrigating more than one half of same acre). There are livestock watering use exemptions.
Licenses needed may include: general business, pesticide application, commercial driver, etc
Washington State Department of Agriculture
To commercially store foods, including meat, a Food Storage Warehouse License is required.
Pierce County
Review and/or permits may be required dependent upon parcel restrictions and scale of operation. For more information see
Pierce County Code 18A.33.260E and 18A.33.280C
Washington State Department of Agriculture
There are inspection requirements for a select list of fruits and vegetables. However, there are exceptions for smaller quantities as well as produce sold at farmers market. Check out the WSDA guide for what products require inspection and in what circumstances.
WSDA/USDA
Growing, processing, and selling meat can be done "custom" or through USDA inspection, depending how and where it is to be sold. FSMA regulations may apply.
These regulation roadmaps are strictly a guide intended to give producers an idea of the regulations and permits they may need. They do not include all necessary steps that may apply to your farm product. Producers are ultimately responsible for conducting their own research and obtaining the correct permits.