Food Truck Permit Requirements in Fairbanks, AK

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Alaska — No State Sales Tax

   Alaska has no statewide sales tax. However, local municipalities (including Juneau and other cities) may levy local sales taxes. Check with your local municipality for applicable sales tax requirements.

   Official government source

   Free (no state sales tax registration required)·N/A

   Free (no state sales tax registration required)

   N/A

2. Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation — Food Safety Manager Certification

   Alaska requires at least one certified food safety manager per food establishment. Must pass an ANSI-accredited exam such as ServSafe.

   Official government source

   $80–$150·1–2 days

   $80–$150

   1–2 days

1. Alaska DEC Food Safety and Sanitation — Mobile Food Unit Permit

   A food truck operating in Fairbanks needs a Food Establishment Permit for a mobile food unit from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation's Food Safety and Sanitation Program — there is no local health department permit, because only the Municipality of Anchorage runs its own food program. DEC recognizes four mobile types: pushcart, mobile unit (not self-contained), mobile unit (self-contained), and mobile retail vendor. All except a self-contained unit must operate from an approved commissary or warehouse under a Commissary Letter of Agreement. A self-contained unit needs installed potable water and wastewater holding tanks, handwashing and warewashing sinks, a utility sink, and on-board storage. New units go through plan review and water sample testing and must have a Certified Food Protection Manager. Permits renew annually under the Alaska Food Code, 18 AAC 31.

   Official government source

   $215 annual permit fee for Mobile Food Service, or $460 for a self-contained mobile unit with caterer endorsement. New units also pay a one-time plan review fee equal to the annual fee ($215 or $460). Add-ons if applicable: HACCP plan $125 annual plus $125 plan review, and wholesale processing $125 annual plus $125 plan review. 501(c)(3) operators pay no fee.·2–4 weeks after application, plan review, and inspection

   $215 annual permit fee for Mobile Food Service, or $460 for a self-contained mobile unit with caterer endorsement. New units also pay a one-time plan review fee equal to the annual fee ($215 or $460). Add-ons if applicable: HACCP plan $125 annual plus $125 plan review, and wholesale processing $125 annual plus $125 plan review. 501(c)(3) operators pay no fee.

   2–4 weeks after application, plan review, and inspection

2. City of Fairbanks — City Business License

   Every business operating inside Fairbanks city limits needs a City Business License from the City Clerk’s Office (800 Cushman Street, 907-459-6702), in addition to the Alaska state business license. Each separate line of business needs its own license. Licenses expire the last day of January and renew by the last business day of February; the City will not issue a building permit to a business without a valid license.

   Official government source

   Tiered on prior-year gross receipts inside city limits under FGC 14-602: $50 up to $49,999, $120 to $249,999, $350 to $999,999, $580 to $2,999,999, $1,125 to $9,999,999, and rising to $25,000 at $120 million and above. Youth licenses (under 18) are $1. Renewals received on or after March 1 incur a $50 penalty·1–3 weeks

   Tiered on prior-year gross receipts inside city limits under FGC 14-602: $50 up to $49,999, $120 to $249,999, $350 to $999,999, $580 to $2,999,999, $1,125 to $9,999,999, and rising to $25,000 at $120 million and above. Youth licenses (under 18) are $1. Renewals received on or after March 1 incur a $50 penalty

   1–3 weeks

3. DEC Commissary Letter of Agreement (mobile food units)

   Alaska DEC requires pushcarts, non-self-contained mobile units, and mobile retail vendors to operate with the support of an approved commissary or warehouse, and a signed Commissary Letter of Agreement must be submitted with the DEC food establishment permit application. Fully self-contained mobile units (installed potable water and wastewater tanks, handwashing/warewashing/utility sinks, and onboard storage) are exempt. Commissary rental is a private contract, not a government fee.

   Official government source

   No government fee; commissary rental is negotiated privately and varies by facility·Arrange and sign before submitting the DEC food establishment permit application

   No government fee; commissary rental is negotiated privately and varies by facility

   Arrange and sign before submitting the DEC food establishment permit application

Official Sources

• Fairbanks / the Fairbanks North Star Borough Health Department
• Alaska — No State Sales Tax

Related Guides