Food Truck Permits in Indiana
Last verified against official sources on by Amrit. How we verify
Yes. In 2026 you need a mobile retail food establishment license (a health license for a food truck, trailer or cart) from the county health department, and you must send your plans before you open. Your truck must go back to a commissary or servicing area at least once a day, and you need a Registered Retail Merchant Certificate for sales tax. To sell outside your home county, you send that county a Notice of Intent. From January 1, 2027, Indiana plans to switch to one statewide license.[7][1][6][4][5]
At a glance
| Permit needed | Yes. A mobile retail food establishment license from your county health department.[7][9] |
|---|---|
| License fee | Set by each county. Examples: $50 a unit in Clay County, $100 in Union County, $140 for 2026 in Brown County, $175 plus $100 for plan review in Floyd County.[10][9][11][14] |
| Selling in other counties | Send each other county a state Notice of Intent with your menu, schedule, latest inspection report and proof you meet local city, zoning and fire rules.[4] |
| Commissary | Yes, in most cases. Return to a commissary or servicing area at least once a day.[1] |
| Training | The person in charge must show food safety knowledge, by passing a certified food safety manager exam or at inspection. Some counties require a certified manager: Brown does if you handle meat, poultry or seafood or cool, cold-hold or reheat TCS food.[3][13] |
| Water and waste | Enough hot and cold water, under pressure, and a fixed waste tank at least 15% bigger than the fresh water tank.[1] |
| Sales tax | A Registered Retail Merchant Certificate from the Indiana Department of Revenue, through InBiz.[6] |
| Coming in 2027 | A single statewide license that lets you register once and sell in many counties, planned from January 1, 2027.[5] |
Step by step
Do these in order. Each step links to the official form or page.
Read the food rule and plan your menu and truck
Indiana's retail food rule, 410 IAC 7-26, applies to food trucks as it does to restaurants, with a few mobile exceptions. Your truck needs hot and cold water under pressure if it uses water, a fixed waste tank at least 15% bigger than the fresh water tank, and only single-use plates and cutlery for customers. You may not drain waste water while driving.[1]
Find a commissary or servicing area
Your truck must go back to a base at least once a day for support activities, unless the health department approves another schedule in writing. Counties such as Floyd and Marion ask for a signed commissary agreement. Marion County (Indianapolis) says the kitchen must be a licensed retail food establishment you can get into 24/7. Your employees also need easy access to a restroom.[1][8][14]
Show food safety knowledge (food manager certificate)
The person in charge must show food safety knowledge. IDOH says that can be done by passing a certified food safety manager exam, or at inspection by having no priority violations or answering the inspector's questions correctly. Some counties want the certificate anyway: Brown County requires a certified manager if you handle meat, poultry or seafood or prepare TCS food (food that must be kept hot or cold for safety) that is cooled, cold-held or reheated, and Union County asks for a copy with every application.[3][13][9]
Register for sales tax
Register with the Indiana Department of Revenue through InBiz to collect sales tax, and you will get a Registered Retail Merchant Certificate. Marion County requires a copy of it with every mobile application. Because you sell food and drinks, you may also need to register for local food and beverage tax.[6][8]
Send your plans and application to your county health department
Before you build or open, send the county your plans: menu, a floor plan of the truck with its equipment, and your commissary agreement. The rule says the health department must hear of your intent to open at least 30 days before. Plans must be approved before you build and before you operate.[1][8][14]
Pass the pre-licensing inspection and pay the license fee
Once your plans are approved, book an inspection. Everything on the truck must be working. In Marion County you pay when you pass; the license is renewed every year. Fees are set by each county: for example $50 a unit in Clay County, $100 in Union County, $140 for 2026 in Brown County and $175 in Floyd County.[8][10][9][11][14]
Check fire, zoning and city rules where you park
Health departments don't issue fire or zoning approvals. Cooking hoods must meet Indiana fire and building requirements, and Floyd County says the fire marshal must approve them. Ask the city or town where you'll sell about vending permits, zoning and fire inspections. Brown County, for example, does not allow trucks to set up on the street.[13][14][4]
Send a Notice of Intent before selling in another county
If you want to sell outside the county that licensed you, send that county's health department the state Notice of Intent form. Include where and when you'll operate, your menu, your latest inspection report, a toilet use agreement, a property use agreement, and proof you meet that area's city, zoning and fire rules. The county then authorises you to operate there.[4]
Local rules
These places add their own requirements on top of the state rules.
- Indianapolis (Marion County): Marion County Public Health Department licenses food trucks, trailers and carts. Send a complete application packet at least 30 days before you open, including a commissary agreement, an operator attestation, your menu, a floor plan, a plumbing diagram (unless you sell only prepackaged items), a photo of the truck and a copy of your Retail Merchant Certificate. Hot dog carts, prepackaged ice cream carts and zoning questions go to the city's Department of Business and Neighborhood Services.[8]
- Brown County: A truck based in Brown County can get an annual license for $140 (January to December 2026, no pro-rating). You may sell only on private property you have a contract for or at special events, not on the street. Inside Nashville town limits you also need the town's permission and license.[11][13]
- Floyd County: Floyd County charges $100 for plan review and the pre-opening inspection, plus $175 for the annual mobile permit. Permits renew every July 1 and may be pro-rated. Send the plan review packet at least 30 days before you open.[14]
What it costs
| Step | Fee |
|---|---|
| Send your plans and application to your county health department | Set by each county. Floyd County, for example, charges $100 for plan review and the pre-opening inspection. |
| Pass the pre-licensing inspection and pay the license fee | Set by each county health department, for example $50 to $175 a year |
| Check fire, zoning and city rules where you park | Set by each city, town or fire department |
| Total if every fee applies to you | $0 |
Not included in the total because the fee is set locally: Send your plans and application to your county health department; Pass the pre-licensing inspection and pay the license fee; Check fire, zoning and city rules where you park.
Recent changes
- : A statewide mobile retail food establishment license under HB 1577 (2025) is planned to start. Trucks would register once and operate in multiple counties instead of being permitted county by county. The Indiana Department of Health has drafted an interim rule to put it in place.[5]
- : Indiana's new retail food rule, 410 IAC 7-26 (based on the 2022 FDA Food Code), took effect and replaced 410 IAC 7-24.[1][2]
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a separate license for every Indiana county?
For now, you get your license from your home county and send a Notice of Intent to each other county where you want to sell; that county then authorises you. From January 1, 2027, Indiana plans a single statewide license so you register once.[4][5]
How much does an Indiana food truck license cost?
Each county sets its own fee. Published examples run from $50 a unit in Clay County to $175 a year in Floyd County, which also charges $100 for plan review. Ask your county health department for the current amount.[10][14]
Do I need a commissary if my truck has everything on board?
Usually yes. The rule says a truck must go back to a commissary or servicing area at least once a day unless the health department approves another schedule in writing. Trucks selling only packaged food that doesn't need to be kept hot or cold are exempt from the servicing-area rules.[1]
Can I prep food in my home kitchen?
Plan on no. Brown County, for example, says all food must be prepared in the truck or a commissary and none stored or prepared at a private home. Ask your county before you plan any prep away from the truck.[12]
Do I need ServSafe or another food manager certificate?
It depends on your county and menu. Under the state rule the person in charge must show food safety knowledge, either by passing a certified food safety manager exam or at inspection (no priority violations, or correct answers to the inspector's questions). Some counties ask for a certificate with your application.[3][9]
Does my truck need a restroom?
Not on board, but your employees must have convenient access to one while you're open.[1]
Sources
- 410 IAC 7-26, Retail Food Establishment Sanitation Requirements (effective April 16, 2025), Indiana Department of Health. Checked October 25, 2026.
- Food Protection: Retail Safety Program, Indiana Department of Health. Checked October 25, 2026.
- FAQs: Person in Charge (November 2024), Indiana Department of Health. Checked October 25, 2026.
- Mobile Food Truck Notice of Intent, Indiana Department of Health. Checked October 25, 2026.
- Regulatory Analysis: Interim Mobile Rule (draft, June 30, 2026), Indiana Department of Health. Checked October 25, 2026. A draft regulatory analysis for a proposed interim rule, not an adopted rule or the statute (HB 1577, IC 16-42-28). Check the enacted law before verifying.
- Sales Tax, Indiana Department of Revenue. Checked October 25, 2026.
- Mobile Licensing, Marion County Public Health Department. Checked October 25, 2026.
- Starting a Mobile Food Operation: Mobile Requirements (rev. 09/2025), Marion County Public Health Department. Checked October 25, 2026.
- Environmental Services, Union County Health Department. Checked October 25, 2026.
- Mobile Food Service Application, Clay County Health Department. Checked October 25, 2026.
- Application for a Mobile Food License, 2026, Brown County Health Department. Checked October 25, 2026.
- 2026 Temporary Event Food License Application, Brown County Health Department. Checked October 25, 2026.
- Mobile Food Trucks in Brown County, Indiana, Brown County Health Department. Checked October 25, 2026.
- Mobile Retail Food Establishment Packet, Floyd County Health Department. Checked October 25, 2026.
Related
- Cottage Food Laws in Indiana
- Food Truck Permits in Illinois
- Food Truck Permits in Kentucky
- Food Truck Permits in Michigan
- Food Truck Permits in Ohio
- Food Truck Permits by State
This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change. Before you apply or start selling, confirm the details with Your county health department (license and inspections), under Indiana Department of Health food rules or your local health department. Spotted something wrong or out of date?Report it and we will check it.