To operate, food truck enterprises need a number of licenses and permits. Prior to beginning operations, you must get certain licenses and permits. For your food truck business, you’ll need several licenses and permits depending on the city, county, and state.
What Are Food Truck Permits And Licenses?
Most entrepreneurs find that starting a mobile food truck business involves some similar elements.
A few business licenses and permits are also necessary for food trucks. These papers are required for the food truck to function and do business.
It’s never a good idea to assume that your licenses and permissions will be exactly the same as what is necessary for other food trucks because licenses and permits may differ depending on your food truck’s location and the city, county, and state it operates in. The best course of action is to contact your local secretary of state to find out which licenses and permissions food trucks must have in order to operate their business.
Regardless of whether you choose to launch a food truck, most businesses must get specific licenses and permits.
Why Is It Important To Have Food Truck Permits And Licenses?
Customers can rest easy knowing that your food truck team is informed and skilled in sanitary and safe food-handling techniques thanks to the permit. A health inspector can be confident that someone on staff has in-depth knowledge of food safety if your supervisors are certified.
Food Truck Laws
Due to their mobility, food trucks are scrutinized and governed differently than traditional eateries. As a food truck operator, for instance, you’ll have to comply with the following rules in addition to others:
- licenses and inspections for commercial vehicles.
- laws governing parking.
- permits for fire safety.
- In some regions, OSHA regulations.
- a license for the commissary kitchen in addition to the usual business license.
- Permit for a mobile food vendor.
- card for food handling.
In that case, depending on the state you are in, it is best to conduct your own study of the laws of your location.
What Licenses Are Needed To Start A Food Truck?
The most typical paperwork that food delivery vehicles need to have are listed below:
1. Business License
This license, also known as a basic business operating license, enables you to run the food truck in the city, county, or state of your choice.
Having a business license makes it easier for the government to find the company. They may identify the business and monitor the actions of the food truck for tax purposes if you obtain a business license. It also confirms your food truck’s legitimacy.
2. Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Do you intend to recruit anyone to work at your food truck, even part-time? If so, you must complete an employment identification number application (EIN).
A federal tax ID known as an EIN is given out by the IRS to identify a corporate organization. Similar to a social security number in certain ways, but far less sensitive for use in documents.
The majority of business owners are typically encouraged to apply for an EIN, regardless of whether they organized their food truck as an LLC or a partnership. You can create a business bank account and build a credit history if you have an EIN.
3. Driver’s License
You will need a driver’s license to run your food truck business because you are a mobile food vendor that works out of a vehicle. A basic state driver’s license is usually sufficient for operating a food truck, but depending on the laws of your state, as well as the size and weight of your vehicle, you might additionally need a commercial driver’s license.
4. Food Handler’s Permit
A food handler’s permit may be necessary for one or more food truck employees in some towns and states. Before issuing the permit, the city or state may demand that one or more employees complete a food safety course. Defend your food truck enterprise. During times when the truck is open for business, be sure to have a person on the truck who has a valid food handler’s permit.
5. Health Department Permit
No matter what cuisine you’re providing to clients, the health department must inspect, evaluate, and authorize your food truck. Lack of a health department permit will cause both immediate and long-term problems for your company.
City-Dependent Food Truck Licenses And Permits
Before they can start operating, food truck owners must obtain the specific permits required by each state and locality. Large cities frequently maintain a clear list of the licenses required for food trucks inside their boundaries.
Smaller communities may make it more difficult for you to get the information, though. Following the purchase of a food truck, you might need to obtain one of the following licenses and permits:
1. Seller’s Permit
In some states, a seller’s permit is necessary to enable owners of food service businesses to buy ingredients and supplies at wholesale costs without having to pay sales tax. To avoid taxing the same thing twice, the tax would be collected when the product is sold to customers.
2. Fire Certificates
You may need to have your food truck inspected by the fire department in addition to the health department in some counties. Typically, you won’t need to do this unless your truck also has gas lines and culinary equipment. You most likely won’t require a fire inspection if you just sell chilled goods, but it’s advisable to check with your local government to be sure.
3. Parking Permits
You should inquire with your county clerk whether parking permits are required where you intend to offer meals. There can be complete bans on food trucks on some streets or seasonal limitations. To ease traffic and space out the vehicles on the streets, several cities have set aside specific dates for food trucks. You can park your truck during business hours as specified on your parking permit.
4. Commissary Letter Of Agreement
Your city can demand that you prepare your food in a commissary kitchen and keep your ingredients there before driving your food truck around for the day. If that’s the case, you could also want a commissary letter of agreement, which is a written contract between you and the commissary owner that confirms your right to use the facility and its services as well as your access to it.
5. Standard Operating Procedures Document
It’s uncommon, but a few localities demand that food truck operators give them a document outlining their normal operating procedures before they allow customers in. The procedure that you and your staff follow when working on your truck should be described in this document.
6. Special Event Permit
A temporary authorization called a “special event permit,” commonly referred to as a “vending permit,” enables you to serve food at a specific venue location throughout the course of an event. The majority of athletic events, festivals, and concerts have an event planner who can provide you with information regarding the types of permits required to sell food on the premises as well as the duration of such permits.
How Much Does A Food Truck License Cost?
The normal cost of a food truck business license ranges from $50 to $500, although application fees and conditions depend on your city. Be sure to be aware of your license’s expiration date and renewal procedures.
How To Get A Food Truck Permit?
Multiple licenses and permits are needed to operate food truck enterprises. Before starting your firm, you must obtain certain licenses and permits. Each city, county, and state has different requirements for the licenses and permissions you’ll need to operate a food truck business.
Please be aware that some jurisdictions may demand a yearly business registration from you in exchange for payment. Speak to your county or city clerk to see what is required for the location where your company will be established.
Get the Help of Experts
It is important to meet all the regulatory requirements for your food truck. This will help you avoid costly fines and possible business closure.
Since each city, county, and state has its own food truck licensing and permitting requirements, you can ask the help of experts who have been there and have organized such permits before such as Feed Wagons.
With our help, you may create and launch your own mobile business. We can assist you whether you’re looking for barber trailers, restroom trailers, lounge trailers, or food trailers. Through the use of our services, your truck will stand out from the competition thanks to our talented and meticulous design team!
