Food Truck Permit Requirements in Chicago, IL

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. Illinois Department of Revenue - Retailers' Occupation Tax Registration (Sales Tax)

   Required to collect and remit Illinois sales tax on taxable food sales. Prepared food sold by food trucks is generally taxable in Illinois. Chicago's combined sales tax rate is 10.50%, effective August 1, 2026 (up from 10.25%). Register free with the Illinois Department of Revenue online through MyTax Illinois or by filing Form REG-1.

   Official government source

   Free (no IDOR registration fee)·About 1-2 business days for a registration submitted online through MyTax Illinois; four to six weeks for a mailed paper Form REG-1

   Free (no IDOR registration fee)

   About 1-2 business days for a registration submitted online through MyTax Illinois; four to six weeks for a mailed paper Form REG-1

1. City of Chicago Mobile Food License

   Required for all food trucks operating in Chicago. Issued by BACP. Food trucks are classified as 'Mobile Food Dispenser' (sells only prepackaged/unaltered food) or 'Mobile Food Preparer' (prepares food on the vehicle). Each classification has different requirements, and Mobile Food Preparers must also operate from a licensed shared/commissary kitchen (Shared Kitchen User license).

   Official government source

   $1,000 (Mobile Food Preparer); $700 (Mobile Food Dispenser)·4–8 weeks after application and inspections

   $1,000 (Mobile Food Preparer); $700 (Mobile Food Dispenser)

   4–8 weeks after application and inspections

2. Chicago Department of Public Health - Food Service Sanitation Manager Certificate

   Every food establishment, including a mobile prepared food vehicle, must have a Person In Charge on the premises holding a CDPH food service sanitation certificate at all times that time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food is being prepared, held or served. The original certificate must be posted where the public can see it. You obtain it by attending and passing a course from a CDPH-approved training provider; if you already hold an ANSI-accredited Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) certification you can apply to CDPH for reciprocity instead. All food handlers who do not hold the CDPH certificate must complete an approved Food Handler Training program. A mobile food dispenser carrying only prepackaged food does not need the certificate. Food Protection Program: 312-746-8030, [email protected].

   Official government source

   CDPH publishes no fee for the certificate itself; course and exam prices are set by the CDPH-approved private training providers listed on the city's website·1-2 weeks, depending on the provider's course schedule

   CDPH publishes no fee for the certificate itself; course and exam prices are set by the CDPH-approved private training providers listed on the city's website

   1-2 weeks, depending on the provider's course schedule

3. No Separate State-Level Food License (Local Health Department Only)

   Illinois has adopted the FDA Food Code, but retail food establishments -- including food trucks -- are licensed and regulated by the local health department where they operate, not by a separate state IDPH license. In Chicago, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) is the certified local health department and its license/inspection under the Chicago Mobile Food Preparer license fulfills the state food-code requirement; there is no additional state-level license or fee to obtain from IDPH.

   Official government source

   not applicable (no separate state license)·not applicable

   not applicable (no separate state license)

   not applicable

4. Chicago Shared Kitchen User License (Commissary)

   All Chicago Mobile Food licensees (Mobile Food Preparer, Mobile Preparer, and Mobile Food Dispenser) must also hold a Shared Kitchen User license to service the truck or cart at a licensed commissary kitchen, where food preparation and storage may also occur. The shared kitchen itself must hold a Shared Kitchen Operator license from the City. Your application must include a signed letter of intent from the shared kitchen dated within the last 30 days, a labeled layout drawing of the kitchen and equipment, a full menu, and a City of Chicago Food Service Manager Certificate. Applicants also undergo a consultation and inspection with the CDPH Food Protection Division and pick up a Shared Kitchen User badge at the City Clerk's office.

   Official government source

   $330 Shared Kitchen Long-Term User license (2 years) or $75 Short-Term User license (90 days, non-renewable); the commissary's own rental rates are set privately and vary·Arrange the shared kitchen before applying -- the letter of intent must be dated within the last 30 days. Long-term user licenses are issued for two years.

   $330 Shared Kitchen Long-Term User license (2 years) or $75 Short-Term User license (90 days, non-renewable); the commissary's own rental rates are set privately and vary

   Arrange the shared kitchen before applying -- the letter of intent must be dated within the last 30 days. Long-term user licenses are issued for two years.

5. Chicago Fire Department Inspection

   Food trucks with a generator, propane or compressed natural gas, a Type II exhaust hood or a fire suppression system need a Chicago Fire Department Fire Safety Permit as part of the BACP mobile food licensing process. This requires attending a Fire Safety Class, submitting fire-suppression installation plans on the installer's letterhead, and a vehicle inspection by the Chicago Fire Department. Separately, the CFD Fire Prevention Bureau inspects businesses and places of public assembly on a generally annual basis as routine fire code enforcement; no per-inspection fee is published for that routine enforcement.

   Official government source

   $100 Fire Safety Permit plus $150 Fire Suppression System Review (published by BACP for mobile food vehicles); no separate fee is published for routine Fire Prevention Bureau inspections·scheduled as part of the mobile food license application, which includes the Fire Safety Class and a CFD vehicle inspection

   $100 Fire Safety Permit plus $150 Fire Suppression System Review (published by BACP for mobile food vehicles); no separate fee is published for routine Fire Prevention Bureau inspections

   scheduled as part of the mobile food license application, which includes the Fire Safety Class and a CFD vehicle inspection

Official Sources

• City of Chicago BACP — Mobile Food Dispenser License
• City of Chicago — Food Sanitation Manager Certification
• City of Chicago — Shared Kitchen User License
• Illinois Department of Revenue — MyTax Illinois
• Illinois Department of Public Health — Food Safety

Related Guides