Starting a food truck business in Missouri involves obtaining several licenses and permits. These include a vending/business license, fire safety certification, health inspection, mobile vendor permit, and possibly a special process authorization. The requirements may vary slightly depending on the specific city within Missouri, but the general process involves obtaining these permits and licenses, ensuring your food truck is properly equipped and meets health and safety standards, and complying with local and state regulations.
1. Vending/Business License
- Purpose: This license is required to legally operate a business in the city of St. Louis and Union, Missouri.
- Estimated Cost: Varies depending on the city.
- How to Register: Apply with the City of St. Louis License Collector's office or Union City office.
2. Fire Safety Certification
- Purpose: This certification ensures your food truck meets fire safety standards.
- Estimated Cost: Varies depending on the city.
- How to Register: Obtain this certification online at stlcitypermits.com or schedule an inspection with the Union Fire Protection District.
3. Health Inspection
- Purpose: This inspection ensures your food truck meets health and safety standards.
- Estimated Cost: Varies depending on the city.
- How to Register: Your food truck must pass a health inspection from the local health department.
4. Mobile Vendor Permit
- Purpose: This permit is required to sell food from a movable vehicle.
- Estimated Cost: $500.00/annual or $125.00/quarterly in St. Louis, $154 for High Priority and $97 for Low Priority in Springfield.
- How to Register: Apply for this permit with the Street Department in St. Louis or online in Springfield.
5. Special Process Authorization
- Purpose: This authorization is required if your food truck involves a modification or waiver of one or more requirements of the Missouri Food Code.
- How to Register: Get it authorized in written form by the department.
For more detailed information, you can refer to the following sources:
- St. Louis City Government
- Springfield City Government
- Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
- Union City Government
- Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services Temporary Food Service Guide
Learn more about local food delivery trends and insights:
About Otter
- Increase revenue up to 10% with Marketing*
- Reduce storefront downtime by up to 50% with Live Alerts*
- Increase sales up to 50% with Digital Dine-In's QR code ordering*
- Reduce missed orders to less than 1% with Order Manager's Auto-Accept feature*
- Supercharge your food business with our all-in-one restaurant POS system*