Florida Commissary Requirements at a Glance (BLUF)
Florida commissary kitchens cost $300 to $900 per month, with Tampa and Orlando at the low end and Miami-Dade at the high end. The state DBPR doesn't directly require a commissary, but every major Florida county (Miami-Dade, Hillsborough, Orange, Duval, Pinellas) requires a commissary agreement at plan review and again at every annual renewal.
The single biggest Florida-specific rule: Miami-Dade requires the commissary to be licensed in Miami-Dade. Out-of-county letters are typically rejected. The other major counties are more flexible.
How Florida's Two-Level System Works
Florida food truck regulation runs on two levels:
In practice, both levels reference each other. DBPR will ask for your commissary plan during MFDV plan review; the county will require the letter at their own permit application. Operators need both.
County-by-County Requirements
Miami-Dade County
Miami-Dade is the strictest Florida county. The commissary must be licensed in Miami-Dade County itself; letters from Broward or Palm Beach are typically rejected.
- Required for: Certificate of Use, annual renewal
- Typical monthly rent: $500 to $900
- Hourly prep access: $30 to $50
- Where to look: Hialeah, Doral, North Miami, near Miami International Airport
- Specific rule: Miami-Dade often inspects the commissary directly as part of the operator's annual review
Orange County (Orlando area)
Orange County Health Department requires a commissary agreement at plan review and at every renewal. The agreement letter must specify the services provided.
- Typical monthly rent: $300 to $550
- Hourly prep access: $25 to $35
- Where to look: Pine Hills, Apopka, near I-4 corridor
- Note: Several Orlando food truck parks have on-site commissary facilities that satisfy the requirement for tenant trucks
Hillsborough County (Tampa area)
Hillsborough County Health Department follows the standard Florida pattern: commissary agreement required at plan review and renewal, no Miami-Dade style geographic restriction.
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- Typical monthly rent: $300 to $500
- Hourly prep access: $25 to $35
- Where to look: Ybor City warehouses, Town 'N Country, Carrollwood
- Note: Some Tampa breweries operate as licensed commissaries for resident food trucks
Duval County (Jacksonville)
Duval County Department of Health requires a commissary letter at plan review and at each annual renewal. Standard documentation.
- Typical monthly rent: $250 to $450
- Hourly prep access: $20 to $35
- Where to look: Westside warehouses, near Jacksonville Beach, Mandarin
Pinellas County (St. Petersburg, Clearwater)
Pinellas County Health Department requires commissary letters and inspects the commissary annually as part of the mobile unit renewal cycle.
- Typical monthly rent: $300 to $500
- Hourly prep access: $25 to $35
- Where to look: 4th Street North corridor (St. Pete), Largo, Pinellas Park
What Florida County Health Departments Want in the Letter
Florida's county commissary letters typically need:
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Pro tip for Florida: keep a PDF version of the letter on your phone. Florida county inspectors regularly ask to see it during on-site inspections, not just at application.
Where Florida Trucks Typically Find Commissaries
Florida has a deeper commissary supply than most states because of its hospitality economy. Three patterns dominate:
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How Florida Commissary Costs Affect Operations
At $500/month and 12 events per month, that's $42 per event in fixed commissary cost. The PitStop profit calculator models this directly. For most Florida operators, commissary rent runs 3-6% of revenue, which is sustainable.
For the broader Florida permit picture (DBPR license, county health permits, sales tax, food manager cert), see Food Truck Permits in Florida. For city-specific deep dives, see Miami, Orlando, Tampa.
Track Your Commissary Letter Alongside Your Florida Permits
Florida operators juggle DBPR licenses, county health permits, food manager certs, fire inspections, and commissary letters: 5 to 7 documents per truck. PitStop's permit tracker keeps them all in one place with renewal alerts. Free for the first 10 events per month.
*Last updated: May 2026. Florida commissary rules vary by county and may change. Always verify directly with your county health department and DBPR. This guide is informational only and does not constitute legal advice.*