Food Truck Permit Requirements in Birmingham, AL

Complete permit and license guide for starting a food truck in Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama.

Updated 2026-03-15 6 stops $600–$1,500 est. 3–6 weeks to obtain all permits and pass inspections
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. This guide was compiled from public and official sources (last updated ) and has not yet been independently source-verified — confirm each requirement before acting on it.

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

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

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of Alabama

2 stops

  1. Alabama Department of Revenue — Sales Tax License

    Required for all businesses selling tangible personal property or taxable services in Alabama. Alabama's state sales tax rate is 4%. Local city and county sales taxes are additional and can be significant (total rates range from 5–10%). Register with the Alabama Department of Revenue via My Alabama Taxes (MAT).

    Official government source

    Free1–5 business days (online via MAT)

  2. Alabama Department of Public Health — Food Safety Certification

    Alabama requires that food establishments have at least one employee with a food handler card, and managers are strongly encouraged to obtain a certified food protection manager certification from an ANSI-accredited provider.

    Official government source

    $15–$150 (depending on certification level)1–2 days

City of Birmingham / Jefferson County

3 stops

  1. Jefferson County / City of Birmingham — Mobile Food Unit Permit

    All food trucks operating in Birmingham must obtain a Mobile Food Unit (MFU) permit from the local health department (Jefferson County or City of Birmingham Environmental Health). The truck undergoes an inspection before the permit is issued. Annual renewal required.

    Official government source

    $250–$450/year2–4 weeks after application and inspection

  2. City of Birmingham License and Revenue Division — Business License

    Birmingham requires an Occupational License for all businesses operating within city limits. License fees are based on gross revenues. The License and Revenue Division processes applications. This license must be renewed annually and displayed at your place of business.

    Official government source

    $50–$500/year depending on business type and gross revenues1–3 weeks

  3. Commissary Agreement

    Most jurisdictions require mobile food units to operate from an approved commissary — a licensed commercial kitchen for food prep, storage, and cleaning. A signed commissary agreement must be submitted with the permit application.

    $200–$700/month (commissary rental fees vary)Arranged before permit application

Terminus

Open for business — est. $600–$1,500 · 3–6 weeks to obtain all permits and pass inspections

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Official Sources

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