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Environmental Health

Director: Keith Higman

Proposed Revision of Skagit County Public Health Schedule of Charges
Comment period open and public hearing scheduled (click to expand)

Proposed Schedule of Charges Revision

Skagit County Public Health collects fees to cover the costs of services provided for reviewing and processing permits, performing required inspections and enforcement of public health codes. Skagit County Public Health is proposing to revise the Skagit County Public Health Schedule of Charges in early 2025. This proposal would affect fees during 2025, 2026 and 2027. Skagit County Public Health Schedule of Charges needs updating to revise fees for the Environmental Public Health Division so that the fees more closely reflect the actual costs for services such as permitting and inspecting food service establishments, living environment facilities, on-site septic systems, drinking water systems and solid waste facilities and other fees. The last major revision to the schedule was in 2019 with limited updates in 2021 and 2023. The Public Health hourly rate in 2019 was $95. The proposed hourly rate for 2025 is $125.

View the proposed Schedule of Charges Revision here.

Skagit County Board of Health is soliciting public comment on the proposed revisions to the Public Health Schedule of Charges Your views for or against the adoption of the proposed ordinance are invited by attendance, representation, or letter.

How to Comment

Public written comments may be submitted:

by email to EH@co.skagit.wa.us
in person or mailed to Skagit County Public Health, 301 Valley Mall Way, Suite 110, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.

Please identify the comments with the subject: "Revised Schedule of Charges-Board of Health". Please include your full name and contact information along with your comments. Written comments must be received on January 13, 2025 by 4:30 pm.

Public comments on the proposal may be made during the Public Hearing.

The Public Hearing will be held in the Commissioners Hearing Room, County Administration Building 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon, WA on January 14, 2025 at 9:30 a.m., for the purpose of considering public comment and possible action regarding the proposed adoption of revised Skagit County Board of Health Schedule of Charges.

View the notice of public hearing here.

Disposing of Unwanted/Expired Medicines
Protect your family and your community [more]

Skagit County Public Health Schedule of Charges

Food Safety Recalls
From caramel apples to walnuts be aware of food safety recalls. [Recalls]

Flooding and other Emergencies

Click here for emergency information for all hazards. | En español

Septic Systems Assistance

Financial Assistance for On-Site Septic Systems
Learn more about financial assistance available for on-site septic system owners here.

Recreational Shellfish Harvesting

Before harvesting shellfish, remember to always check the current beach closures posted on the Shellfish Safety Map or the Marine Biotoxin Bulletin or by calling the Marine Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-562-5632.

Wildfire and Smoke Information

For current recommendations and monitoring information see the Washington Smoke blog .

Particulates from wildfire smoke can have serious health impacts, particularly for those with heart or lung conditions and asthma. at Washington State Department of Health provides guidance on hazards from wildfire smoke and COVID-19.

Public Health Insider from King County

Bat Exposure

Home page | Bats can carry rabies. Avoid contact with bats.

Drinking Water

Planning & Development Services now handles water availability review.

Drinking Water Safety

Home page | Keep drinking water safe in an emergency.

Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response

Home Page | Help your family, friends, and workplace be prepared and safely survive an earthquake, flood, or other emergency event. Understand the role of Environmental Public Health in responding to an emergency.

Food Safety

Home Page | Are you interested in starting a food service, selling food at a market or an event, holding a fund raiser, or just want to serve safe food in your home? Find out about permitting requirements for serving food to the public and many food safety topics.

On Site Sewage Program

Home Page | Obtain the information you need to understand, protect, and maintain your on-site septic system. Treating sewage properly on your property prevents pollution of our waterways!

Recreational Water

Home Page | Toxic algae blooms in lakes, beach water quality, swimming pool permitting.

Shellfish Safety

Home Page | Learn about where to harvest shellfish free from biotoxins and bacterial pollutants and what you can do to ensure the safety of marine waters.

Solid and Hazardous Waste

Home Page | Understand the requirements for storing, disposing, composting, or recycling the waste streams that your home or business may produce. Submit concerns or questions on illegal dumping or garbage accumulation.

Vectors, Living Environments, and Animal Bites

Home Page | Critters in our natural environment and inside our homes and work spaces can impact our health.

H5N1 Avian Influenza Information

A strain of H5N1 avian influenza has been detected in wild and domestic birds in many parts of the U.S., and has been identified in Washington State. For more information on the current activity across the country, please see USDA’s 2022-2023 Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and CDC’s Bird Flu Current Situation Summary. Public health officials are working closely with local, state, and federal partners to monitor bird flu in Washington.

The following Environmental Health services are available at the main Public Health office at:

301 Valley Mall Way, Suite 110
Mount Vernon, WA 98273

Our main phone number is 360-416-1500

Food permit applications and payments

Food worker cards

Shellfish safety

Pools & spas

Recreational waters- safe swimming and toxic algae

Garbage or junk vehicle complaints

Solid waste & toxics compliance and education

Bats and other Vectors

If you need on-site sewage system permitting & information or drinking water quality permitting & information, these services are available at 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon.

Enlarge View

Submit a Question,
Report a Health Hazard
or Concern

Food Worker Cards are available online.

The following Environmental Health services are available at the main Public Health office at 700 South 2nd Street in downtown Mount Vernon. Our main phone number is 360-416-1500: