Short answer: every food truck operator needs at least four permits to operate legally: a state-level business registration, a local mobile food vendor permit, a county-level health department permit, and a state seller’s permit (sales tax). Specific requirements and costs vary state to state and county to county. Here is what you need by state, with links to our detailed regulation guides.
The four permits every food truck operator needs
1. State business registration. Form an LLC or sole proprietorship at the state level. Cost: $50-$300 one-time, plus annual fees in some states.
2. Mobile food vendor permit. Issued by the city or county where you operate. Cost: $100-$1,500/year. This is the permit that lets you sell food from a mobile unit.
3. Health department permit. Issued by the county health department after they inspect your truck and your commissary. Cost: $200-$1,000/year. Includes plan review, opening inspection, annual reinspections.
4. Seller’s permit / sales tax license. Issued by the state department of revenue. Cost: usually free or $20-$50. Required to collect and remit sales tax.
State by state: where to start
We have written detailed regulation guides for the states we deliver to. Click into your state for the specific permits, fees, and process.
Western and mountain states
- Colorado food truck permits — state-level base, county-level health, city-level vendor
- Wyoming food truck permits — light-touch state, county-level health
- Montana food truck permits — county-level health, varies by jurisdiction
- Arizona food truck permits — HB 2118 preemption simplifies state-wide rules
- Nebraska food truck permits — state and county compliance
California (separate framework)
California operates under the Cal Code (California Retail Food Code) which is the strictest in the country. See our Temecula casino build for a real-world walkthrough of California Mobile Food Facility permitting. Key requirements:
- State business filing through Secretary of State
- County Department of Environmental Health Mobile Food Facility (MFF) permit
- California Air Resources Board (CARB) compliance for any diesel engine
- UL 300 fire suppression system (universally required)
- Commissary agreement on file with the county
Cost: typically $1,200-$2,500 to permit a new food truck in California, plus $400-$900/year ongoing.
City-level rules vary even within the same state
For our delivery markets we have written city-specific guides:
Arizona
Nebraska
Federal permits (most operators do not need any)
Most food truck operators only need state and local permits. Federal permits come into play in two situations:
USDOT and MC numbers. If you operate across state lines (towing your trailer to events in another state, or driving your truck to a different state for catering), you may need a USDOT number from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. FMCSA registration is free and required for commercial operations crossing state lines with vehicles over 10,000 lbs GVWR carrying property.
Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (Form 2290). If your truck is over 55,000 lbs (most food trucks are not), you owe HVUT to the IRS.
FDA Food Facility Registration. Only required if you manufacture or package food (very rare for retail food truck operators). Most operators do not need this.
Permit timeline: from application to operating
For a typical operator in a typical state:
- Form LLC. 1-3 weeks (state-dependent)
- Get federal EIN. Same day, free, online from IRS
- Open business bank account. 1 week
- Register with state revenue (sales tax). 1-2 weeks
- Submit health department plan review. 4-8 weeks for review
- Pre-build inspection (if required). 1-2 weeks scheduling
- Final inspection at truck delivery. 1-3 weeks scheduling
- Mobile vendor permit. 1-3 weeks after health department clears you
Total: 3-5 months from start to operating. This runs in parallel with the build (6-8 weeks), so a typical operator who starts permits when they sign the build contract is ready to go on day one of delivery.
Insurance is also required
Health department permits typically require proof of insurance before issuing. See our food truck insurance guide for what coverage is required and what it costs.
Commissary agreement
Almost every state requires a commissary kitchen agreement on file before issuing a mobile food permit. See our commissary requirements guide for what counts and how to find one in your area.
Where most operators get stuck
Three common slowdowns:
- Plan review submission. Health departments want detailed plans showing equipment placement, water and grease handling, and food flow. We provide a complete plan review packet with every build, which cuts this from a 6-week back-and-forth to a 2-week review.
- Commissary agreement. Operators sometimes wait until the truck is delivered to find a commissary. Big mistake. Secure commissary before the build is delivered, ideally before signing the contract.
- City-level vendor permits. Some cities require physical inspection at the operating location. If you have not lined up locations yet, this can stall your permit. Lock down at least one venue before applying for the city permit.
How we help with permits
Every build we deliver comes with a complete plan review packet: as-built drawings, equipment specs (with NSF and UL certifications), water and grease handling diagrams, electrical and propane manifold drawings, and the suppression system certification. This is the document the health inspector wants. Most operators we deliver to pass plan review in 1-2 weeks because the packet anticipates every question.
Tell us where you plan to operate when you request a quote, and we will spec the build to your specific jurisdiction and provide the packet sized for that health department. Get a free quote or call 719-722-2537.
Related: complete guide to starting a food truck business, food truck operator Q&A index.
Ready to build your truck?
We design and build custom food trucks and trailers compliant with the regulations on this page. From a single phone call to keys-in-hand in 6 to 8 weeks for most builds.
Built in Woodland Park, Colorado. Delivered to operators in CO, AZ, NE, MT, and WY.