To open a food truck in Virginia, you need to obtain several licenses and permits. These include a Health Permit, a Certified Food Safety Manager (CFSM) certification, a Business License, a Fire Inspection and decal, a Vendor Parking Permit, a Zoning Approval, a Treasurer Approval, a Temporary Foodservice Permit, an Itinerant Merchants’ license, a Peddler’s License, and a Vendor’s License. The specific requirements may vary depending on the city or county where you plan to operate your food truck.
1. Health Permit
- Purpose: This permit is required to ensure that your food truck meets health and safety standards.
- How to Register: You need to go through a plan review with the local Environmental Health Department where your commissary is located. The review requires a menu and floor plan.
2. Certified Food Safety Manager (CFSM) Certification
- Purpose: This certification is required for safe food handling and general sanitation.
- How to Register: Learn more about the processes involved at the Virginia Department of Health website.
3. Business License
- Purpose: This license is required to legally operate your food truck business.
- Estimated Cost: If the estimate of total gross receipts is less than $100,000, the license will cost $50.00. If the estimate is greater than $100,000, a tax rate will be applied to your estimate.
- How to Register: You can apply for a business license from the Commissioner of the Revenue.
4. Fire Inspection and Decal
- Purpose: This inspection is required to ensure fire safety in your food truck.
- How to Register: You need to get a Fire Inspection and decal from the local Fire Marshal's Office.
5. Vendor Parking Permit
- Purpose: This permit is required to legally park your food truck at your chosen location.
- How to Register: You can access the application form at the Virginia Tech website.
6. Zoning Approval
- Purpose: This approval grants you permission to operate your food truck at your chosen location.
- How to Register: You need to get Zoning Approval from the Department of Planning (Zoning Division).
7. Treasurer Approval
- Purpose: This approval indicates that all delinquent taxes you or your company may owe to the city are paid in full.
- How to Register: You need to get Treasurer Approval from the local City Treasurer.
8. Temporary Foodservice Permit
- Purpose: This permit is required if you intend to sell food at special events or one-time events.
- How to Register: You need to obtain this permit from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).
9. Itinerant Merchants’ License
- Purpose: This license is required for mobile food units that frequently move and operate from a commissary or base of operations for re-supply and cleaning.
- How to Register: You need to obtain this license from the Department of Finance.
10. Peddler’s License and Vendor’s License
- Purpose: These licenses are required to legally sell food from your food truck.
- How to Register: You can apply for these licenses from the Licensing Office of the Police Department.
For more information, you can refer to the following sources:
- Virginia Department of Health
- Norfolk Government
- Norfolk Business Licensing
- Henrico Government
- Arlington Government
Beyond the paperwork to launch a food truck in Virginia, mobile POS designed for food trucks keeps the line moving at every stop.
Once you're licensed and ready to roll, our guide to the best food truck POS systems can help you choose the right setup.
Learn more about local food delivery trends and insights:
Book a demo to see how Otter’s all-in-one platform can help your restaurant thrive.