Louisiana food truck permit checklist

The steps, in order

1. 1.Form your entity and get your EIN

   Federal

   Decide sole proprietor vs LLC, then get your EIN from the IRS online. The EIN itself carries no fee. Every application below asks for it, and permits are issued to the entity you pick.

   Fee: Verify the current fee with the IRS.

   Official page

2. 2.Register for Louisiana sales tax

   State

   Register with Louisiana Department of Revenue + parish/city tax authorities before your first sale. Keep the certificate on the truck; some event organizers and cities ask to see it.

   Fee: Verify the current fee with Louisiana Department of Revenue + parish/city tax authorities.

3. 3.Get your food handler card

   State

   Louisiana requires a food handler card for people preparing or serving food. Accredited online courses take a few hours. Renews every 3 years.

   Fee: Verify the current fee with an accredited food handler course provider.

4. 4.Certify a food protection manager

   State

   At least one certified food protection manager is required. Renews every 5 years. Most health departments want the certificate in the application package.

   Fee: Verify the current fee with an accredited food manager certification provider.

5. 5.Sign your commissary agreement

   State

   Louisiana requires mobile food establishments to operate from a licensed commissary for food storage, preparation, cleaning, and waste disposal. In New Orleans, commissary options are plentiful, but in rural parishes, operators may need to travel further for approved facilities.

   Fee: Verify the current fee with Louisiana Department of Health — Office of Public Health, Sanitarian Services.

   Watch out: Settle the commissary before the license application, not after.

   Official page

6. 6.Apply for the Mobile Food Establishment Permit

   State

   Issued by Louisiana Department of Health — Office of Public Health, Sanitarian Services. Expect a plan review or application, then a licensing inspection of the truck before the permit is released.

   Fee: Verify the current fee with Louisiana Department of Health — Office of Public Health, Sanitarian Services.

   Official page

7. 7.Clear the county and city layers

   City

   Business tax receipt or local business license, fire inspection, and zoning approval for where you park and serve. Cities keep these even where the state runs the health side. Start with the city you will work most (New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette).

   Fee: Verify the current fee with your city and county.

   Watch out: Some counties require a separate permit for every county you serve in. Check before booking an out-of-county event.

8. 8.Get general liability insurance and a certificate of insurance (COI)

   Private

   Event organizers, commissaries, and some city permits ask for a COI naming them as additional insured. Get the policy first; certificates usually issue the same day once it is active.

Renewal calendar

What comes due after you open, and how far ahead to start the paperwork. The .ics download puts each of these on your calendar.

• State Health Permit

  Louisiana Department of Health — Office of Public Health, Sanitarian Services

  Every yearStart 30 days before

  Annually

• City Occupational License

  Louisiana Department of Health — Office of Public Health, Sanitarian Services

  Every yearStart 30 days before

  Annually

• Fire Marshal Inspection

  Louisiana Department of Health — Office of Public Health, Sanitarian Services

  Every yearStart 30 days before

  Annually

• General liability insurance (COI)

  Your insurer

  Every yearStart 21 days before

  Organizers require the COI; renew before the policy lapses.