To open a food truck in Pennsylvania, you need to apply for several licenses and permits. These include a Mobile Food Facility license, a Food Establishment Retail, Non-permanent Location License, a Business Income and Receipts Tax Return, an Activity License, and a Food Safety Certificate. The requirements and costs for these licenses and permits vary, and some are specific to certain counties or cities, such as Philadelphia.
1. Mobile Food Facility License
- Purpose: This license is issued to mobile units like food trucks, stands, carts, and similar structures that are mobile or transitory by design. It also applies to mobile food facilities that are physically located at one site for no more than 14 consecutive days.
- Estimated Cost: The fee for a new mobile food facility is $241.
- How to Register: New applicants must download and print the appropriate Application Packet, which must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the preparation or sale of food from a retail food facility. The completed applications and requested documentation should be submitted to RA-AGPLANREVIEW@pa.gov.
2. Food Establishment Retail, Non-permanent Location License
- Purpose: This license is applicable to food trucks, movable stands, and carts.
- Estimated Cost: The cost of the license is $165.
- How to Register: You can apply for and renew the license at the City of Philadelphia Business Services website.
3. Business Income and Receipts Tax Return
- Purpose: Every individual, partnership, association, and corporation doing business in Philadelphia must file a Business Income and Receipts Tax Return, regardless of whether they earned a profit during the preceding year.
- How to Register: Learn more about the processes involved at the City of Philadelphia Government website.
4. Activity License
- Purpose: This license is required for all businesses and non-profits operating in Philadelphia, including those located outside the city limits but conducting some or all of their business activity in the City.
- How to Register: Learn more about the processes involved at the City of Philadelphia Government website.
5. Food Safety Certificate
- Purpose: This certification requires an employee to be certified in food safety and be present whenever the food truck is operating, regardless of whether it is open to the public or not.
- How to Register: To obtain this certification, you must first complete a food safety course which includes 16 hours of instruction with an approved food safety certification course provider.
For more detailed information, you can refer to the following sources: A Guide to Starting Your Food-related Business and A Guide to Special Events with Food Vendors.
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