Mississippi 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 Mississippi sales tax

   State

   Register with Mississippi Department of Revenue 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 Mississippi Department of Revenue.

3. 3.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.

4. 4.Sign your commissary agreement

   State

   Mississippi requires mobile food units to operate from a licensed commissary for food storage, preparation, cleaning, and waste disposal. Commissary options are limited in rural areas, which can be a challenge for operators outside Jackson and the Gulf Coast.

   Fee: Verify the current fee with Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) — Division of Environmental Health.

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

   Official page

5. 5.Apply for the Mobile Food Unit Permit

   State

   Issued by Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) — Division of Environmental Health. Expect a plan review or application, then a licensing inspection of the truck before the permit is released.

   Fee: Verify the current fee with Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) — Division of Environmental Health.

   Official page

6. 6.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 (Jackson, Biloxi/Gulfport, Oxford).

   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.

7. 7.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.

• MSDH Mobile Food Unit Permit

  Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) — Division of Environmental Health

  Every yearStart 30 days before

  Annually

• City Business License

  Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) — Division of Environmental Health

  Every yearStart 30 days before

  Annually

• Fire Safety Inspection

  Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) — Division of Environmental Health

  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.