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
Learn more about local food delivery trends and insights:
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