Food Truck Permit Requirements in Lexington, KY

Complete permit and license guide for starting a food truck in Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky.

Updated 2026-03-15 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. This guide was compiled from public and official sources (last updated ) and has not yet been independently source-verified — confirm each requirement before acting on it.

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 Kentucky

2 stops

  1. Kentucky Department of Revenue — Sales and Use Tax Permit

    Required for all businesses selling tangible personal property or certain services in Kentucky. Kentucky charges a flat 6% state sales tax with no local sales taxes (most transactions). Certain services including telecommunications, digital products, and some repair services are also taxable. Register online with the Kentucky Department of Revenue.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online via Kentucky One Stop Business Portal)

  2. Kentucky Department of Public Health — Food Safety Certified Manager Requirement

    Kentucky requires at least one certified food protection manager per food establishment. Certification must be from an ANSI-accredited provider such as ServSafe.

    Official government source

    $80–$1501–2 days

City of Lexington / Fayette County

3 stops

  1. Fayette County / City of Lexington — Mobile Food Unit Permit

    All food trucks operating in Lexington must obtain a Mobile Food Unit (MFU) permit from the local health department (Fayette County or City of Lexington Environmental Health). The truck undergoes an inspection before the permit is issued. Annual renewal required.

    Official government source

    $250–$450/year2–4 weeks after application and inspection

  2. Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government — Revenue Division — Business License

    Lexington (Fayette Urban County) requires an Occupational License for all businesses. The Revenue Division issues and renews annual licenses based on business type and payroll. This license must be renewed annually and displayed at your place of business.

    Official government source

    $50–$500/year depending on business type and gross revenues1–3 weeks

  3. Commissary Agreement

    Most jurisdictions require mobile food units to operate from an approved commissary — a licensed commercial kitchen for food prep, storage, and cleaning. A signed commissary agreement must be submitted with the permit application.

    Official government source

    $200–$700/month (commissary rental fees vary)Arranged before permit application

Terminus

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

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Official Sources

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