Food Truck Permits & Licenses in Florida: The Complete Checklist (2026)

Operating a Food Truck in the Sunshine State

Florida has a strong food truck scene, especially in cities like Miami, Orlando, and Tampa. But the permitting process involves both state-level licensing through the DBPR and county/city-level health permits.

Important: Always verify current fees and requirements directly with the relevant agency. This guide is a starting point for your research, not a substitute for official guidance.

State-Level Requirements

1. Division of Hotels & Restaurants License (DBPR)

Florida's Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) requires all mobile food dispensing vehicles to hold a public food service license.

• Where to apply: DBPR online portal
• License type: Mobile Food Dispensing Vehicle (MFDV)
• Application fee: $50
• License fee: $178.50 (half-year) or $347 (full-year)
• Timeline: Apply at least 21 days before your planned opening date
• Renewal: Annual, with inspection
• Plan review: Required for new builds, major remodels, or units closed 18+ months (submit DBPR form HR-7031)

This is different from a regular restaurant license — make sure you select the mobile food dispensing vehicle category. Note: If you're serving raw or prepackaged foods only, you may need a permit from the FL Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) instead of or in addition to DBPR.

2. Food Manager Certification

Florida requires at least one certified food manager responsible for each mobile food dispensing vehicle. This person must complete an approved food safety training program and pass a certification exam.

• Approved exams: ServSafe, Prometric, or other DBPR-approved providers
• Renewal: Every 5 years
• Who needs it: At least one person per truck who is designated as the certified food manager

3. Food Employee Training

All food service employees must complete basic food handler training within 60 days of employment (or within 30 days for some counties).

• Cost: Typically $10–$15 online
• Approved providers: Listed on the DBPR website

4. Sales Tax Registration

Register with the Florida Department of Revenue for a sales tax certificate (no cost). Florida's state sales tax is 6%, plus county discretionary surtax (varies).

5. EIN and Business Registration

• Federal EIN from the IRS (free)
• Register your business with SunBiz (Florida Division of Corporations) if operating as an LLC or corporation

County-Level Requirements

In Florida, county health departments handle the inspections and local permitting for food trucks. Requirements vary by county, but generally include:

Health Permit / Plan Review

• Submit a plan review application to your county health department before operating
• Includes truck layout, equipment list, menu, water supply, and waste disposal plans
• Health inspection of the truck before permit issuance
• Annual re-inspection for renewal

Commissary Requirement

Most Florida counties require a commissary agreement — a licensed commercial kitchen where you:

• Prepare food that can't be fully prepped on the truck
• Clean and sanitize equipment
• Store food overnight
• Dispose of waste water

Your commissary must be licensed and in good standing with the county health department.

City-Specific Requirements

Miami / Miami-Dade County

Miami-Dade has some of the highest permit fees in the country for food trucks:

• Certificate of Use (CU) required, renewable annually
• Initial permit fee: ~$3,350 (cooking on site) or ~$2,850 (pre-packaged only)
• Renewal: ~$3,000 or ~$2,500 annually
• One food truck allowed per site with minimum 10,000 sq ft lot area
• Insurance required: General liability $100,000/$300,000 minimum; $50,000 property damage
• No balloons, banners, or streamers to attract customers
• Alcohol sales generally prohibited
• Business Tax Receipt from the city where you primarily operate

Orlando / Orange County

• Mobile food unit permit from Orange County Health Department
• City of Orlando business tax receipt
• Fire inspection required for cooking operations
• Specific zones where food trucks are permitted — check with the city's planning department
• Popular food truck parks operate under their own site permits

Tampa / Hillsborough County

• County health department mobile food unit permit
• City of Tampa business tax receipt
• Fire safety inspection
• Must display all permits visibly
• Specific rules about operating hours and locations — verify with the city

Jacksonville / Duval County

• County health department mobile food unit permit
• City of Jacksonville business tax receipt
• Annual health inspection
• Zoning restrictions apply — check with the city planning office

Fire Safety Requirements

If your truck has cooking equipment (grills, fryers, ovens), you'll generally need:

• Commercial kitchen fire suppression system (hood and Ansul system for grease-producing equipment)
• Class K fire extinguisher
• Fire safety inspection from the local fire marshal
• Proper ventilation
• Propane system inspection (if applicable)

Contact your local fire marshal's office for specific requirements — these vary by jurisdiction.

Common Pitfalls for Florida Operators

Renewal Timeline at a Glance

Stay on Top of Every Deadline

Between the DBPR license, county health permit, fire inspections, and food manager certs, Florida operators are juggling a lot of renewal dates. PitStop's permit tracker sends you email alerts at 30, 14, and 7 days before any permit expires — so nothing slips through the cracks.

Start tracking your permits free →

*Last updated: March 2026. Requirements and fees change — always verify with the DBPR, your county health department, and your city government before applying. This guide is informational only and does not constitute legal advice.*