Opening a food truck in the city of Philadelphia, PA requires several licenses and permits. These include a Food Establishment, Retail Non-Permanent Location License, a Business Income and Receipts Tax ID, a Commercial Activity License, and a Food Safety Certificate.
1. Food Establishment, Retail Non-Permanent Location License
Purpose: This license is applicable to food trucks, movable stands, and carts. It allows you to operate a retail food establishment that is not permanent.
Estimated Cost: The cost for the license is $165.
How to Register: You can apply for and renew the license online.
2. Business Income and Receipts Tax ID
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.
3. Commercial Activity License
Purpose: This license is required for all businesses and nonprofits operating in Philadelphia.
4. Food Safety Certificate
Purpose: Food businesses in Philadelphia must have an employee certified in food safety present whenever they are operating, whether or not the business is open to the public.
How to Register: To obtain a City of Philadelphia Food Safety Certification, you must first complete a food safety course (16 hours of instruction) with an approved food safety certification course provider.
5. License for a Mobile Food Establishment
Purpose: This license is required for a mobile food establishment that serves food prepared at a permanent location.
Estimated Cost: The caterer license fee is $275, with a non-refundable application fee of $20 applied toward the license fee.
How to Register: You can apply online using eCLIPSE or in person at the Permit and License Center.
More Resources
For more detailed information, please refer to the following sources:
- Guide to Permits and Licenses for Opening a Mobile Food Business
- Food Safety Certificate
- Food Establishment, Retail Non-Permanent Location
- Get a Food Caterer License
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