Food truck permit checklist by state

The nine questions

1. 01

   A licence to do business at all

   The general registration that lets a business trade in a place, before anything about food comes into it. Some states register the business, some cities register it, and plenty of trucks need both.

   Ask: Do I register this business with the state, the city, or both — and does working in a second city mean registering there too?

   Usually issued by: A secretary of state, a state revenue department, or a city clerk.

   Catches people out: This is the one that most often has to exist before anything else can be applied for, which makes it the wrong one to leave until last.

2. 02

   A licence to collect sales tax

   Separate from the business licence almost everywhere: permission to charge tax and the obligation to file returns on it. Some places issue it with the business licence, some issue it on its own, and some cities issue their own on top of the state's.

   Ask: Which authorities do I register with to collect tax where I actually work, and how often does each of them want a return?

   Usually issued by: A state revenue department, plus any city that collects its own.

   Catches people out: A truck that works several towns can end up filing with several authorities on different schedules. In Colorado this is common rather than unusual.

3. 03

   The food permit for the truck itself

   The health permit that covers this specific vehicle as a place food is prepared and sold. It is attached to the truck, not to the business, and usually has to be renewed on its own cycle.

   Ask: Which health authority permits a mobile unit here, does the permit follow the truck across county lines, and what does renewal involve?

   Usually issued by: A county or district health department, sometimes a state health department.

   Catches people out: Crossing into a neighbouring county can mean a second permit or a reciprocity arrangement. Which one it is, is worth knowing before the event, not at it.

4. 04

   A review of how the truck is built

   An inspection of the build itself — sinks, water tanks, refrigeration, surfaces, ventilation — usually done once, before the truck is permitted, and again if it is rebuilt.

   Ask: Does this jurisdiction require a plan review before it will permit the unit, and what does it want submitted?

   Usually issued by: The same health authority that issues the mobile food permit.

   Catches people out: This is the step that can require physical changes to a truck, so it is the most expensive one to discover late. Ask about it before buying a used vehicle, not after.

5. 05

   A commissary or base kitchen

   Many jurisdictions expect a licensed fixed kitchen behind a mobile unit — somewhere to prep, store, fill water, dump waste and clean. The requirement is often written as an agreement the kitchen signs, not as something the truck buys.

   Ask: Does this jurisdiction expect a commissary agreement, what does it have to say, and does the kitchen have to be licensed in the same county?

   Usually issued by: Named on the health permit application rather than issued separately.

   Catches people out: The signed agreement is frequently part of the permit application, so the kitchen has to be arranged before the permit can be applied for.

6. 06

   A fire inspection

   Anything with cooking equipment, propane or a suppression system usually needs a fire authority to look at it. This is a different body from the health department and keeps its own schedule.

   Ask: Who inspects a mobile unit here for fire, what do they want to see, and how often?

   Usually issued by: A city or district fire department or fire marshal.

   Catches people out: Events and festivals often require their own inspection on the day, on top of the annual one.

7. 07

   A food safety qualification for a person

   A certificate held by a person rather than by the business — a manager qualification, a handler card, or both. It travels with whoever holds it and expires on its own timetable.

   Ask: Who on the truck has to be certified, which certificates does this jurisdiction accept, and when do they expire?

   Usually issued by: An accredited training provider, recognised by the health authority.

   Catches people out: A truck can be fully permitted and still not allowed to open because the only certified person is not working that day.

8. 08

   The vehicle side of it

   The truck is also a truck: registration, insurance, weight class, and sometimes a commercial licence for whoever drives it. None of this is a food question and it is easy to forget in the middle of one.

   Ask: Does the weight and build of this vehicle change what registration, insurance or driving licence it needs?

   Usually issued by: A state motor vehicle department, and an insurer.

9. 09

   Permission for where you park

   Standing on a public street, in a park, or on private property are three different permissions, and they usually come from three different places. A permit to operate is not a permit to be somewhere.

   Ask: Where am I allowed to stand, who grants that, and what does the property owner need to have on file?

   Usually issued by: A city public works, zoning or parks department — or the landowner.

   Catches people out: Distance rules from restaurants, schools or other trucks are common, and they are written into local ordinance rather than into a permit application.

States we have checked

The state list would not load just now — that is a problem on our end, not with the nine questions above. The federal directory of state and local health departments is the reliable way through in the meantime.

Two starting points that work in every state: your state health department, and the city clerk for wherever you plan to park. The FDA’s directory of state and local food officials lists the first of those.

Colorado is where we work, so it gets city-level pages rather than one state page: which licences each city issues, what it publishes as the fee, and where you apply.