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What a food truck permit costs in Iowa

The figures below come from Iowa's agency pages, each with the date it was read. Government fees only: commissary rent, insurance and the truck are private costs, and the profit calculator is where those go.

The main license

$250 a year

Mobile food unit license (Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing)

Licensed in the county where the unit is stored and serviced; renewals can be filed up to 90 days before expiry.

Issued by Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals Read on the agency page Oct 5, 2026

Every step, with the fee where it is published

In filing order. A step without a published fee links the agency to ask.

  1. 1

    Form your entity and get your EINFederal

    the IRS

    Fee not published here; ask the agency
  2. 2

    Register for Iowa sales taxState

    Iowa Department of Revenue

    Private cost or no fee
  3. 3

    Certify a food protection managerState

    an accredited food manager certification provider

    Private cost or no fee
  4. 4

    Sign your commissary agreementState

    Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals — Food and Consumer Safety Bureau

    Fee not published here; ask the agency
  5. 5

    Apply for the Mobile Food Unit LicenseState

    Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals — Food and Consumer Safety Bureau

    Fee not published here; ask the agency
  6. 6

    Clear the county and city layersCity

    your city and county

    Private cost or no fee
  7. 7

    Get general liability insurance and a certificate of insurance (COI)Private

    your insurer

    Private cost or no fee

Renewal timeline

  • Mobile Food Unit License

    Every year · start paperwork 30 days before · Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals — Food and Consumer Safety Bureau

  • City Vendor Permit

    Every year · start paperwork 30 days before · Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals — Food and Consumer Safety Bureau

  • Fire Safety Inspection

    Every year · start paperwork 30 days before · Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals — Food and Consumer Safety Bureau

  • General liability insurance (COI)

    Every year · start paperwork 21 days before · Your insurer

Download the renewal calendar (.ics) Open the printable checklist

Read the full picture

Iowa food truck permit guideAgencies, fees, inspections, city rules and the pitfalls, with sources.

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