Food Truck Permit Requirements in St. Louis, MO

Complete permit and license guide for starting a food truck in St. Louis, St. Louis City County, Missouri.

Updated 2026-03-14 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 Missouri

2 stops

  1. Missouri Department of Revenue — Sales Tax License

    Required for all businesses selling taxable goods in Missouri. The state rate is 4.225%; local rates vary by city and county. Register online with the Missouri Department of Revenue.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

  2. Missouri Department of Health — Food Safety Manager Certification

    Missouri requires at least one Certified Food Protection Manager per food establishment. Must pass an ANSI-accredited exam.

    Official government source

    $80–$1501–2 days

City of St. Louis / St. Louis City County

3 stops

  1. St. Louis City County / City of St. Louis — Mobile Food Unit Permit

    All food trucks operating in St. Louis must obtain a Mobile Food Unit (MFU) permit from the local health department (St. Louis City County or City of St. Louis 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. City of St. Louis License Collector — Business License

    St. Louis City is an independent city (not part of St. Louis County) and requires a Business License from the License Collector's office. 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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