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What a food truck permit costs in North Carolina

The figures below come from North Carolina'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

$120 a year state permit fee (G.S. 130A-248(d)) plus county plan review of up to $250 (G.S. 130A-248(f))

Mobile food unit permit; the unit must operate from a permitted commissary or restaurant base (G.S. 130A-248(c1))

Statutory fee, so it is the same in every county; $25 late fee after 45 days, $150 reinstatement after a suspension. Raw meat, poultry and fish must be prepared at the commissary in ready-to-cook form.

Issued by County environmental health programs under NC DHHS rules 15A NCAC 18A .2600 Read on the agency page Nov 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 North Carolina sales taxState

    the North Carolina revenue department

    Private cost or no fee
  3. 3

    Sign your commissary agreementState

    North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services — Environmental Health Section

    Fee not published here; ask the agency
  4. 4

    Apply for the North Carolina mobile food unit permitState

    North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services — Environmental Health Section

    Fee not published here; ask the agency
  5. 5

    Clear the county and city layersCity

    your city and county

    Private cost or no fee
  6. 6

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

    your insurer

    Private cost or no fee

Renewal timeline

  • 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

North Carolina food truck permit guideAgencies, fees, inspections, city rules and the pitfalls, with sources.Charlotte permitsCity layer on top of the state: zoning, fire, local business tax.

Compare every state on the permit hub or take the CSV.

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