July 5, 2022

Kitsap Public Health District seeks comment on food ordinance update

Comments will be accepted through Aug. 5; open house scheduled for Aug. 4.

KITSAP COUNTY, WA ⁠ — The Kitsap Public Health District is seeking public comment on a proposed update to the Food Service Regulations (Kitsap Public Health Board Ordinance 2014-01), which allows the Health District to enforce Washington state food safety laws and rules.  

The proposed ordinance would replace existing Food Service Regulations (Ordinance 2014-01) adopted in 2014. See the documents and questions and answers sections below for additional information.

Heath District staff presented information about the ordinance update process to the Kitsap Public Health Board on July 5. Public comments on the proposed update will be accepted through Aug. 5. An open house is scheduled for Aug. 4 in Bremerton.

A public hearing will be held at a Health Board meeting later this year (date to be announced). 

DOCUMENTS:

• Proposed 2022 Food Service Regulations
• Current (2014) Food Service Regulations
• Summary and comparison of current and proposed Food Service Regulations

SUBMITTING COMMENTS:

Comments on the proposed ordinance update will be accepted through Friday, Aug. 5. Please send comments or questions to: 

• Email: pio@kitsappublichealth.org
• Mail: Kitsap Public Health District, ATTN: Food Ordinance, 345 6th Street Suite 300, Bremerton, WA 98337

OPEN HOUSE:

Health District staff will host an open house on the proposed ordinance update from 5-6 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 4 in the Chambers Room on the first floor of the Norm Dicks Government Center, 345 6th Street, Bremerton. 

For additional information, call 360-728-2235. 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

What does the ordinance do?

The Kitsap Public Health Board, which governs the Health District’s work, adopted the local ordinance to prevent and respond to foodborne illnesses in our county. The Food Service Regulations ordinance provides a clear framework for us to enforce state rules at the local level. The ordinance gives us authority to inspect food establishments and issue citations in situations that endanger public health.

To whom does this ordinance apply?

The ordinance applies to food establishments in Kitsap County, including restaurants, temporary food vendors, and commercial kitchens, as well as people seeking food permits. A section in the ordinance adopts the rules in the Food Code, meaning that both the state and local regulations apply.

Why does the ordinance need to be updated?

The current Food Service Regulations ordinance was adopted eight years ago and is outdated. The state Food Code, which is adopted by the ordinance, was recently updated and took effect on March 1, 2022. The proposed 2022 ordinance has incorporated language to align with more modern environmental health ordinances used by our office and to ensure no conflicting rules were present.

Tad Sooter | Public Information Officer
Kitsap Public Health District
360-728-2330 - office | (360) 728-2235 - main
pio@kitsappublichealth.org | kitsappublichealth.org