Food truck owners face permit costs and inspections
11 posts in the last 60 days, all from r/foodtrucks.
“Royal Oak, Detroit--you MUST be allowed to vend there, and have all the necessary paperwork and permit. You just can't show up and sell. They will shut you down. Even small towns are strict. I called a dispensary in a hick town, and they said that they used to have a food truck…”
“Ask your local business permit department and food handling permit, they’ll tell you everything you need to know about filling out your permits.”
“Hi all, We bought a used 2023 food trailer (built in California, originally permitted in a different north Cal county) and are now going through permitting in LA County. Our plans were approved, and for the final inspection DPH is asking for the HCD insignia report. The trailer…”
Food truck operators are expressing frustration with the high cost of permits, the time required to navigate varying local regulations, and concerns about health inspections. One user noted potential legal issues related to food storage practices.
SOURCES (27)
“Ask your local business permit department and food handling permit, they’ll tell you everything you need to know about filling out your permits.”
“Hi all, We bought a used 2023 food trailer (built in California, originally permitted in a different north Cal county) and are now going through permitting in LA County. Our plans were approved, and for the final inspection DPH is asking for the HCD insignia report. The trailer has the HCD insignia affixed, but: - The manufacturer doesn't have the report. - The third-party agency that did the inspection in 2023 only keeps records for 2 years, so they don't have it anymore. We've subm”
“Bring your commissary agreement letter and your food manager cert physically on site, the inspector will want to see both. A trash can with a lid on the cart is one people forget and it gets flagged fast. Have your sanitizer bucket already mixed at the right concentration when they show up, not after.”
“Know elementary food safety standards BEFORE you own a business that sells food.”
“Your local health department's specific interpretation is what actually governs this though, some jurisdictions add stricter requirements on top of the FDA baseline, it's genuinely worth calling your local health inspector directly and asking what their specific expectation is for your exact schedule, since answers can vary by state and even by county.”
“You should be asking the health department in your State. They are the ones with the correct answer for you. We can help you with how to implement your State’s rules and regulations.”
“You're going to need to ask your city/governing agencies. This is the same as building code.”
“Nobody on the internet is going to give you the right answer. My advice is to call your local health department and local fire inspector. They’ll tell you”
“They are required to (mine included) everywhere ive gotten permitted in central texas and is also required to now with the new statewide permit. They might require a vent hood if its gas vs stick burner, each fire district will still have different rules too”
“Youll need a screened in porch if youre cooking out there at the very least. Theres a whole list of specific requirements you should read up on.”
“Depends on your health department and fire marshall. Had plans for truck and trailer. Built trailer bc fire Marshal required a ceiling height a truck couldn't fit - over 8' to accommodate fire supression / hood”
“Ours are for a year, but don't cost a lot individually. It gets costly when you operate in, say, six or more towns.”
“Royal Oak, Detroit--you MUST be allowed to vend there, and have all the necessary paperwork and permit. You just can't show up and sell. They will shut you down. Even small towns are strict. I called a dispensary in a hick town, and they said that they used to have a food truck on their property, but the town shut it down. The truck had to move.”
“I had spoken to the health departments there and you can get temporary permits pretty cheap. I think around 75 bucks for two weeks?”
“I'm in SE Michigan. Wherever we work, we have to get a food permit from the fire department (for most towns). Of course, the bigger the city, the more requirements.”
“That type of setup isn’t permitted under local health code. They will allow food stands that are enclosed in screen and have plumbing with at least one sink and a hand washing station. It’s a bit ridiculous, considering I’ve been producing everything from a commissary so far. But that’s limited my exposure. And if I have to spend $10k (ish) on a food stand, I might as well go all in on a trailer. But this will be my first time cooking on site, so I guess I just want to feel it out for a minute a”
“I was referring to what they can do legally. For instance if it required permits, or maybe they goto the next township meeting, or maybe hire a lawyer to dive into the township or county ordinance codes or whatever. I agree they could accept it and adapt. Are you sure people are just allowed to pull up to the location you're at and just start selling? Again, I think there's usually a bit more required for something like that. Maybe there's merit to what they're pursuing.”
“Most areas require a food truck to have a permit where they are. Otherwise I could setup a Hot Dog stand in a Lowes or Home Depot parking lot and probably make bank.”
“Normally trucks need permits to place their truck somewhere. If your county/township doesn't, then I guess there's not much they can do. I had an incident where I'm near a tourism street (kinda like a boardwalk or Bourbon Street). A downstairs apartment opened as a delivery type ghost kitchen. I was pretty upset, because customers would walk past their doorway as they walk up the steps. It would be smoky, 3 or 4 people working in their, but it also made it seem like it was MY shoddy”
“Where im at (texas) youre liable on the food handling side from the health department. Its licensed to you and if you let someone else work it who poisons a bunch of people youre on the hook for that as the owner.”
“Next year, I'll have saved plenty enough to invest in my business, which will be a food trailer. I plan on building it myself, and after all the inspections clear I'll move on from my current job to full-time food business. My dream is to run a pizza trailer that I would 5-6 days a week operate in town and also go to events when they arise. The gameplay is to cook using propane ovens and offer small, large, and by the slice ny style. I would like to inquire about any pizza food vendors o”
“Here’s the deal - you can’t permit this thing because it will never be approved as an OMFF in LA county, refrigeration for the meats? Sealed serving window? however you can do a tent setup and have it be part of a larger operation that includes sinks and proper refrigeration and tents here either go rogue until caught on the street or are permitted legally as part of larger operations - markets and festivals”
“Looks like an alibaba job. Where you are make sure it's approved for use by your council.”
“No, but extremely relevant to your post where you put out into the public domain that you will be using a non-inspected facility to store and perhaps make the food you are selling to the public. Your local health department might have someone reading this forum, and you outed yourself. You should understand the laws of your area and the expectations of your local officials as well as understand the consequences if you decidennot to follow the laws and regulations of your area. In my area if you”