Food Truck Permit Requirements in Atlanta, GA

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. Georgia Department of Revenue — Sales Tax Registration

   Required to collect and remit Georgia state sales tax (4% state + Fulton County local option sales tax, total ~8.9%) on taxable food sales. Prepared hot food sold by food trucks is taxable in Georgia. Registration is free and online.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online registration via Georgia Tax Center)

   Free

   Immediate (online registration via Georgia Tax Center)

2. Georgia Food Safety Manager Certification

   Under DPH Rule 511-6-1-.03(3), a food service establishment must employ a Certified Food Safety Manager - at least one employee with supervisory and management authority who has passed a test from an accredited program conforming to national certification standards (Conference for Food Protection or ANSI accredited, e.g. ServSafe). A mobile food service unit that does not process foods is exempt. The CFSM is designated to one establishment only, must post the original certificate in public view, and must recertify within 90 days of expiration. Other food employees must have knowledge appropriate to their duties, which the CFSM is responsible for ensuring - there is no separate statewide certification for every employee.

   Official government source

   $80-$150 for an accredited manager course and exam (private provider pricing; there is no state fee).·1-2 days for the course and exam.

   $80-$150 for an accredited manager course and exam (private provider pricing; there is no state fee).

   1-2 days for the course and exam.

1. Fulton County Board of Health — Mobile Food Service Permit

   All food trucks operating in Fulton County (including the City of Atlanta) must obtain a Mobile Food Service Permit from the Fulton County Board of Health, Environmental Health Division, covering both the truck (unit) and its base of operations. The truck undergoes inspection before the permit is issued and it must be renewed and displayed as required. Exact fees are not published online; contact Environmental Health at (770) 520-7500 for current pricing.

   Official government source

   Fees vary; not published online -- confirm with Fulton County Board of Health Environmental Health at (770) 520-7500·2–4 weeks after application and inspection

   Fees vary; not published online -- confirm with Fulton County Board of Health Environmental Health at (770) 520-7500

   2–4 weeks after application and inspection

2. City of Atlanta Occupational Tax Certificate

   Required for all businesses operating within Atlanta city limits. Issued by the Atlanta Department of Finance. Food trucks must obtain this annual certificate. Must be renewed each year.

   Official government source

   For tax year 2026: $191 annual registration fee + $50 flat tax + $25 per employee (first employee exempt) + a gross-receipts tax of (gross receipts - $10,000) / $1,000 x the NAICS tax-class rate. The registration fee was $75 for tax year 2025 and prior. Source: Atlanta Municipal Code Sec. 30-62 / Office of Revenue fee page.·1–3 weeks

   For tax year 2026: $191 annual registration fee + $50 flat tax + $25 per employee (first employee exempt) + a gross-receipts tax of (gross receipts - $10,000) / $1,000 x the NAICS tax-class rate. The registration fee was $75 for tax year 2025 and prior. Source: Atlanta Municipal Code Sec. 30-62 / Office of Revenue fee page.

   1–3 weeks

3. City of Atlanta Public Vending Registration (Mobile Food Truck)

   Food trucks vending on Atlanta-owned public property must register under the City's Public Vending program, administered by the Department of Finance, Office of Revenue. This requires an approved Business Occupational Tax Certificate, valid photo ID, a Department of Health Mobile Food Permit, and a full business description with truck photos. Vending on private property still generally requires a permit, obtained through the Atlanta Police Department License and Permits Unit -- it is not simply exempt with owner consent. Fees and approved vending locations are published separately by City Planning.

   Official government source

   Fee not published on the Office of Revenue page (it directs applicants to the City Planning webpage for current fees) -- confirm before applying·2–4 weeks

   Fee not published on the Office of Revenue page (it directs applicants to the City Planning webpage for current fees) -- confirm before applying

   2–4 weeks

4. Base of Operation (Commissary) with its Own Food Service Permit

   Georgia DPH Rule 511-6-1 - not a Fulton County rule - requires every mobile food service establishment to operate from a base of operation inside Georgia, used for food preparation, storage, servicing, cleaning, and waste disposal. The base of operation must hold its own food service permit; a restaurant's fixed permit does not count, so a restaurant serving as your base needs a separate base-of-operation permit. The mobile unit's permit is issued by the county where the base of operation is located, which for an Atlanta operator is Fulton County Environmental Health.

   Official government source

   $150-$600 per month in commissary rent (private market rates), plus the county permit fee for the base of operation and for the mobile unit itself.·Arrange and document the base of operation before applying for the mobile unit permit.

   $150-$600 per month in commissary rent (private market rates), plus the county permit fee for the base of operation and for the mobile unit itself.

   Arrange and document the base of operation before applying for the mobile unit permit.

Official Sources

• Fulton County Board of Health — Food Safety
• City of Atlanta — Occupational Tax Certificate
• Georgia Department of Revenue — Georgia Tax Center
• Georgia DPH — Food Service

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