Food Truck Permit Requirements in Miami, FL

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. Florida Division of Hotels and Restaurants — Mobile Food Unit License

   Florida's DBPR Division of Hotels and Restaurants licenses mobile food dispensing vehicles (food trucks) at the state level under Ch. 509, F.S. Food trucks serving food requiring temperature control must be licensed and pass inspection. Licensing is preempted to the state (s. 509.102, F.S.): counties and municipalities may not require a separate food-truck license, registration, or permit fee.

   Official government source

   $347/year license (half-year $178.50) + $50 one-time application fee·2–3 weeks (online application via DBPR)

   $347/year license (half-year $178.50) + $50 one-time application fee

   2–3 weeks (online application via DBPR)

2. Florida Department of Revenue — Sales Tax Registration

   Required to collect and remit Florida sales tax (6% state + local surtax) on food and beverage sales. Registration is free and can be done online through the Florida Department of Revenue.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online registration)

   Free

   Immediate (online registration)

3. Florida Food Handler Training

   Every DBPR-licensed food service establishment (including mobile food units) must have at least one certified food protection manager (ANSI-CFP accredited program such as ServSafe), and a certified manager must be present whenever four or more employees are engaged in food storage, preparation, or service (Rule 61C-4.023, F.A.C.). All other food employees must complete food safety training (s. 509.049, F.S.).

   Official government source

   $80–$150 (food manager exam and course); $15–$30 per food handler·1–2 days for exam

   $80–$150 (food manager exam and course); $15–$30 per food handler

   1–2 days for exam

1. Florida DBPR — Mobile Food Dispensing Vehicle (MFDV) License

   Food trucks operating in Miami (and everywhere in Florida) are licensed by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Division of Hotels and Restaurants, as Mobile Food Dispensing Vehicles — the truck is plan-reviewed and inspected by DBPR, and Fla. Stat. §509.102 preempts mobile-food licensing to the state, so no city or county may require its own MFDV license or fee. Site-level zoning rules still apply: in unincorporated Miami-Dade, mobile food operations on private property require a county Certificate of Use for the site.

   Official government source

   DBPR MFDV license fees vary by license type and district; see the DBPR mobile food licensing guide·2–4 weeks after application, inspection, and fee payment

   DBPR MFDV license fees vary by license type and district; see the DBPR mobile food licensing guide

   2–4 weeks after application, inspection, and fee payment

2. City of Miami Local Business Tax Receipt (BTR)

   Food truck businesses based in the City of Miami must obtain a Business Tax Receipt (formerly Occupational License), renewed annually by September 30. Food trucks are an explicit exception to the Certificate of Use prerequisite — they apply directly for the BTR. A Miami-Dade County Local Business Tax Receipt is also required.

   Official government source

   Varies by business classification under the City of Miami fee schedule; no citywide fee range is published on the official BTR page — confirm with the City of Miami at (305) 416-2087·1–2 weeks

   Varies by business classification under the City of Miami fee schedule; no citywide fee range is published on the official BTR page — confirm with the City of Miami at (305) 416-2087

   1–2 weeks

3. DBPR MFDV — Commissary or Commercial Water/Sewer Location

   As part of the state DBPR Mobile Food Dispensing Vehicle license, a food truck must have either a commercial water/sewer servicing location or a commissary arrangement for potable water, wastewater disposal and servicing. If you use a commissary, documentation of the arrangement is provided with the DBPR application. This is a state licensing requirement — Miami-Dade County does not separately license commissary use.

   Official government source

   Commissary rental costs are private-market rates (vary by facility); no government fee·Arranged before license application

   Commissary rental costs are private-market rates (vary by facility); no government fee

   Arranged before license application

4. City of Miami Zoning Approval / Vending Location Permit

   Under Fla. Stat. §509.102, the City of Miami may not require a separate license, permit, or fee for food truck (MFDV) operation — the state DBPR license is the operating license. The city may still enforce zoning rules about where vending can occur and require property-owner consent on private lots, and events on city property may need a Special Event Permit. Verify location rules with City of Miami Zoning before committing to a spot.

   Official government source

   No lawful separate city permit fee for MFDV operation (§509.102); special event permits for events remain separate·1–4 weeks

   No lawful separate city permit fee for MFDV operation (§509.102); special event permits for events remain separate

   1–4 weeks

Official Sources

• Miami-Dade County Health — Mobile Food Dispensing Vehicles
• City of Miami — Local Business Tax Receipt
• Florida DBPR — Hotels and Restaurants Licensing
• Florida Department of Revenue — Sales Tax

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