Food Truck Permit Requirements in Newark, DE

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. Delaware — No Sales Tax

   Delaware has no state or local sales tax. Instead, Delaware levies a Gross Receipts Tax on the seller of goods or provider of services, based on total receipts. Register with the Delaware Division of Revenue.

   Official government source

   Free (gross receipts tax registration)·Immediate (online)

   Free (gross receipts tax registration)

   Immediate (online)

2. Delaware Division of Public Health — Certified Food Protection Manager

   Delaware requires at least one Certified Food Protection Manager on staff at a food establishment. The certification must come from a programme accredited to the Conference for Food Protection standard (ANSI/ANAB) — DPH's Office of Food Protection publishes the approved provider list, which includes ServSafe, National Registry of Food Safety Professionals, StateFoodSafety, Learn2Serve and others, plus Delaware-based training through University of Delaware Cooperative Extension, Delaware Tech, Delaware State University and the Delaware Restaurant Association. Certification is valid five years.

   Official government source

   $80–$150 for the course and proctored exam, depending on provider (ServSafe and equivalents); DPH charges no separate fee·1–2 days for the course and exam

   $80–$150 for the course and proctored exam, depending on provider (ServSafe and equivalents); DPH charges no separate fee

   1–2 days for the course and exam

1. Delaware Division of Public Health — Mobile Food Unit Permit

   Food trucks operating in Newark are permitted by the state Division of Public Health, Office of Food Protection — Delaware has no county health departments. The operator submits a Mobile Food Unit plan review package (including a Servicing Area Agreement), passes a pre-operational inspection, and then receives the permit, which is valid one year from issuance and must be posted on the unit. A separate City of Newark business license also applies.

   Official government source

   $100/year mobile food unit permit, plus a plan review fee of $50 for units 1,000 sq ft or less ($100 for 1,001–5,000 sq ft); non-profits are exempt·2–4 weeks after application and inspection

   $100/year mobile food unit permit, plus a plan review fee of $50 for units 1,000 sq ft or less ($100 for 1,001–5,000 sq ft); non-profits are exempt

   2–4 weeks after application and inspection

2. City of Newark Code Enforcement Division — Business License

   Newark requires a Business License, administered by the Planning Department's Code Enforcement Division (not the City Clerk), for businesses operating within city limits. Fees are set per Newark Code Chapter 13, Article VII §13-43 et seq. based on estimated demand/cost of municipal services and vary by business type; contact Code Enforcement (302-366-7000) for the applicable fee. License must be renewed annually and displayed at your place of business.

   Official government source

   Varies by business type and estimated municipal service cost; not a published flat fee — confirm with Code Enforcement·1–3 weeks

   Varies by business type and estimated municipal service cost; not a published flat fee — confirm with Code Enforcement

   1–3 weeks

3. Servicing Area (Commissary) Agreement — Mobile Food Unit

   Delaware requires every mobile food unit to operate from an approved Servicing Area — a fixed-location permitted food establishment used for food storage, preparation, cleaning and sanitizing of equipment, potable water supply, and sewage transfer. A completed Servicing Area Agreement on the Division of Public Health's form must be submitted with the Mobile Food Unit plan review packet; DPH may waive it only in limited circumstances.

   Official government source

   No state fee for the agreement itself; any rental or usage charge is set by the commissary operator·Arranged and submitted with the Mobile Food Unit plan review package

   No state fee for the agreement itself; any rental or usage charge is set by the commissary operator

   Arranged and submitted with the Mobile Food Unit plan review package

Official Sources

• Newark / New Castle County Health Department
• Delaware — No Sales Tax

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