Port Angeles outlines new vendor permits, fire‑inspection rule that will affect Clallam County Fair vendors

Chris Jackson, licensing administrator and building inspector for the City of Port Angeles, told the Clallam County Fair Board the city has moved to a standardized administrative permitting process for mobile and itinerant vendors designed to be “predictable, straightforward, and transparent.” The change, Jackson said, is codified in Port Angeles Municipal Code Chapter 17.26 and will apply to vendors at events including the Clallam County Fair.

Jackson explained the classification system that determines who needs what paperwork and fees: ‘‘Minor vendors’’ (four days or fewer per year) will have no fee but still need a license, while ‘‘major vendors’’ (five or more days) will require a $98 annual permit; nonprofits are fee‑exempt but must hold a license. Permits are valid for one year and can be renewed up to one month early, Jackson said.

Fire‑safety requirements will be enforced in coordination with the fire department. The fire department representative explained that vendors using cooking equipment that emits smoke or grease‑laden vapors generally require a fire inspection under the Washington State Association of Fire Marshals program; if a vendor does not have a current statewide inspection, ‘‘the city will conduct one,’’ and the inspection fee is $98. The department also said it may place operational conditions on permits — for example spacing (10 feet is the target for grease‑laden operations), generator placement, maintenance of fire lanes, and requirements for suppression hoods and extinguishers.

Tristan Garlstrom, who staff introduced as the city’s applications/permit technician, described the administrative steps: an online application and staff completeness check, a typical staff review time of about one week, and an expectation that early contact reduces delays. He noted that the city will cross‑check a fair’s vendor list and perform day‑of walk rounds to verify displayed permits.

Board members asked how the statewide inspection program interacts with local checks. Jackson and the fire representative said that if a vendor brings a current State Fire Marshal program inspection (valid one year), Port Angeles will accept that and not duplicate the inspection; if not, the city will inspect locally. The staff presentation emphasized early outreach and assistance for vendors who may have difficulty with applications, and reminded vendors that additional agencies (county health, Labor & Industries) may impose separate requirements outside city control.

The board did not take action on the city presentation; staff and volunteers agreed to coordinate with city contacts to help vendors comply ahead of the fair.