Food Truck Permit Requirements in Davenport, IA

Complete permit and license guide for starting a food truck in Davenport, Scott County, Iowa.

Verified 2026-09-03 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. Key agencies and fees on this page were re-checked against official government sources on .

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 Iowa

2 stops

  1. Iowa Department of Revenue — Sales Tax Permit

    Required for businesses selling taxable goods or services in Iowa. The state rate is 6%, and local option sales tax of up to 1% may apply. Iowa taxes about 75 enumerated services, so check whether your service is taxable before assuming you need a permit. Register with the Iowa Department of Revenue online.

    Official government source

    Free — no fee to register for a sales tax permitRegister online through GovConnectIowa, the state's tax portal

  2. Certified Food Protection Manager (Iowa DIAL)

    Iowa follows FDA Food Code 2-102.12: the person in charge of a food establishment must be a certified food protection manager who has passed a test from an accredited program. Certification is earned through ANSI-accredited providers such as ServSafe (offered through the Iowa Restaurant Association) and other approved online or in-person courses; the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing lists the accepted programs but does not itself run the training.

    Official government source

    No state fee — course and exam prices are set by the private ANSI-accredited providersMost providers run the course and exam in one or two days

City of Davenport / Scott County

3 stops

  1. City of Davenport Mobile Food Unit License (plus Scott County Health permit)

    Every mobile food unit operating in Davenport must hold a Mobile Food Unit License from the city. To be issued one you must complete the application, show proof of auto and liability insurance, show a valid Scott County Health Department food permit, and pass an inspection by Davenport Fire. Vending on private property needs only the city license; setting up in the street right-of-way in front of a business requires a special occurrence permit that goes to City Council for approval.

    Official government source

    $55 per year for the city Mobile Food Unit License; $100 for a special occurrence (right-of-way) permit; the Scott County Health permit fee is based on gross food and beverage salesAllow time for the county health permit and the Davenport Fire inspection first; special occurrence permits must wait for a City Council meeting

  2. No General Business License Required in Davenport

    Davenport does not require a general, citywide business license. The Revenue Division licenses only specific categories, each with its own fee: alarm businesses ($50-$100), auctioneers ($150), billboards and signs, bicycles ($5), tobacco/nicotine ($25-$100 by term), closing-out sales, vehicle-related businesses, mobile food units ($55), live entertainment ($50), metal recyclers ($300), and pawnbrokers/secondhand/junk/antique dealers ($50-$500). Most professional and personal-service businesses — pest control, barbering, tutoring, insurance, cleaning, photography — are not licensed by the city at all. Check the category list, and call the Revenue Division at 563-326-7715 if unsure.

    Official government source

    $0 for most business types; listed categories carry their own published feesNot applicable unless your activity is one of the listed categories

  3. Commissary / Licensed Kitchen Arrangement

    Davenport's mobile food unit license requires proof of auto and liability insurance, a valid Scott County Health Department food permit, and a passing Davenport Fire Department inspection. The commissary requirement comes with the county health permit: under the Iowa food code a mobile food unit works from an approved servicing area or licensed kitchen for food prep, water, and waste handling unless it is fully self-contained. Arrange the kitchen and get the agreement in writing before applying, and confirm what Scott County Health will accept.

    Official government source

    Commissary access is a private lease cost that varies by kitchen — it is not a government feeArrange before applying for the county health permit and city license

Terminus

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

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