Food Truck Permit Requirements in Charlotte, NC

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. County Health Department Mobile Food Unit Permit

   Mobile food units (food trucks) in North Carolina are regulated as food service establishments under standards enforced by NC DHHS's Food Protection and Facilities Section through local county health departments — the program's own page lists "restaurants, food stands, mobile food units, meat markets, hotels, bed and breakfasts, and summer camps." There is no separate statewide NCDA&CS retail food establishment permit for mobile food units; NCDA&CS Food & Drug Protection covers food manufacturers, wholesalers and retail food stores. Verify permitting with the county health department for each county where you operate.

   Official government source

   No NCDA&CS fee applies. Under G.S. 130A-248 the food establishment permit fee is $120 per permit, and a local health department may charge up to $250 for plan review.·N/A for NCDA&CS (no such permit). Confirm plan review and permitting turnaround with each county health department.

   No NCDA&CS fee applies. Under G.S. 130A-248 the food establishment permit fee is $120 per permit, and a local health department may charge up to $250 for plan review.

   N/A for NCDA&CS (no such permit). Confirm plan review and permitting turnaround with each county health department.

2. NC Sales Tax Number (NCDOR)

   Required for all businesses selling taxable goods or services in North Carolina. Food trucks selling prepared food are subject to NC sales tax. Register with the North Carolina Department of Revenue to obtain your tax account number.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online registration)

   Free

   Immediate (online registration)

3. NC Secretary of State Business Entity Registration

   Required if operating as an LLC, corporation, or partnership in North Carolina. Establishes your legal business entity in the state.

   Official government source

   $125 (domestic LLC or corporation filing fee; foreign/out-of-state entity registration is $250)·10-15 business days (NC Secretary of State's posted turnaround for entity creation filings)

   $125 (domestic LLC or corporation filing fee; foreign/out-of-state entity registration is $250)

   10-15 business days (NC Secretary of State's posted turnaround for entity creation filings)

1. Mecklenburg County Environmental Health Mobile Food Establishment Permit

   Required for all food trucks operating in Mecklenburg County, including Charlotte. Issued by Mecklenburg County Environmental Health's Food and Facilities Sanitation program, which permits and inspects pushcarts and mobile food units under Chapter 130A. Approval of the menu is tied to the equipment on the unit and at the affiliated commissary (15A NCAC 18A .2672), so a commissary agreement and a pre-operational inspection are required, followed by routine inspections. Contact Environmental Health at 980-314-1620.

   Official government source

   $120 food establishment permit fee per permit under G.S. 130A-248, plus a local plan review fee of up to $250; a $25 late payment fee and $150 reinstatement fee apply if billing lapses. The county does not publish a $200-$400 annual figure.·Not published by the county; depends on plan review and pre-operational inspection scheduling — confirm with Mecklenburg County Environmental Health.

   $120 food establishment permit fee per permit under G.S. 130A-248, plus a local plan review fee of up to $250; a $25 late payment fee and $150 reinstatement fee apply if billing lapses. The county does not publish a $200-$400 annual figure.

   Not published by the county; depends on plan review and pre-operational inspection scheduling — confirm with Mecklenburg County Environmental Health.

2. No General City of Charlotte Business Registration

   North Carolina repealed cities' and counties' authority to levy privilege/business license taxes effective July 1, 2015 (S.L. 2014-3, s. 12.3, repealing G.S. 160A-211 and G.S. 153A-152). Charlotte has no general city business license, business privilege license, or general city business registration, and Mecklenburg County levies none either. Food trucks operating in Charlotte therefore need no city or county general business license. If you form an LLC or corporation, register with the NC Secretary of State, and confirm any industry-specific state or county permits separately.

   Official government source

   No fee — no such license or registration exists.·N/A — no such license or registration exists.

   No fee — no such license or registration exists.

   N/A — no such license or registration exists.

3. Commissary Kitchen Agreement

   Mecklenburg County Environmental Health requires all mobile food vendors to operate from an approved commissary — a licensed commercial kitchen for food storage, preparation, and vehicle sanitizing. You must provide a signed commissary agreement as part of your permit application.

   Official government source

   Varies (typically $200-$600/month to rent commissary space)·Arrange before permit application

   Varies (typically $200-$600/month to rent commissary space)

   Arrange before permit application

Official Sources

• Mecklenburg County Environmental Health - Food Protection
• NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services - Food
• City of Charlotte - Business Resources
• NC Department of Revenue - Sales and Use Tax

Related Guides