Food Truck Permit Requirements in Baltimore, MD

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. Maryland Comptroller — Sales Tax Registration

   Required for all businesses selling taxable goods or services in Maryland (6% state rate; Maryland has no local sales taxes). Retail product sales are taxable. Some services are also taxable — notably cleaning of a COMMERCIAL or industrial building (janitorial/commercial cleaning) under Md. Tax-General §11-101(m): commercial cleaning businesses must collect 6% on the service itself, while residential cleaning is not taxable. Sales of photographs (portrait/wedding) are taxable as tangible personal property. Registration with the Comptroller of Maryland is free.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online via bFile)

   Free

   Immediate (online via bFile)

2. Maryland Department of Health — Food Service Manager Certification

   Maryland food service facilities are licensed by county health departments under COMAR 10.15.03. The counties covering Annapolis (Anne Arundel), Baltimore, and Silver Spring (Montgomery) require a certified food service manager (accredited exam such as ServSafe) for moderate/high-priority facilities, including caterers and food trucks — the requirement is county-administered, not a single statewide MDH rule.

   Official government source

   $80–$150 (exam and course)·1–2 days

   $80–$150 (exam and course)

   1–2 days

1. Baltimore City / City of Baltimore — Mobile Food Unit Permit

   Food trucks in Baltimore City must be licensed by the Baltimore City Health Department (Environmental Health / Food Control), which licenses mobile food carts/units; the unit is inspected before licensure and renewed annually. Vending on public streets may additionally require a city vendor permit - confirm with the city.

   Official government source

   Per BCHD fee schedule (unverified)·2–4 weeks after application and inspection

   Per BCHD fee schedule (unverified)

   2–4 weeks after application and inspection

2. Baltimore City Department of Finance — Business License

   Baltimore City does not issue a generic business license for all businesses. Maryland business licensing runs through the state court system: businesses that sell goods need a traders license from the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City (fee based on average commercial inventory, $20-$2,125/year in Baltimore City per Md. Code, Bus. Reg. 17-1807). Most pure service businesses need no traders license. Baltimore City's Department of Finance issues only specific license types (e.g., late-night commercial operations, going-out-of-business sales), and location-based businesses need a DHCD use & occupancy permit.

   Official government source

   Most service businesses: no general license fee. Businesses selling goods: traders license from the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, $20-$2,125/year based on average commercial inventory (Md. Code, Bus. Reg. 17-1807).·1–3 weeks

   Most service businesses: no general license fee. Businesses selling goods: traders license from the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, $20-$2,125/year based on average commercial inventory (Md. Code, Bus. Reg. 17-1807).

   1–3 weeks

3. Commissary Agreement

   Mobile food units typically must operate from an approved commissary; confirm Baltimore City Health Department's commissary documentation requirements when applying (unverified).

   Official government source

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

   $200–$700/month (commissary rental fees vary)

   Arranged before permit application

Official Sources

• Baltimore / Baltimore City Health Department
• Maryland Comptroller — Sales Tax Registration

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