Food Truck Permit Requirements in Columbus, OH

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. Ohio Vendor's License (Sales Tax)

   Required for all businesses selling taxable goods in Ohio. Food truck sales of prepared food are subject to Ohio sales tax. Issued by the Ohio Department of Taxation; register online at tax.ohio.gov.

   Official government source

   $25 (one-time registration fee)·Immediate to 1 week (online registration)

   $25 (one-time registration fee)

   Immediate to 1 week (online registration)

2. Ohio Department of Agriculture Retail Food Establishment License (if selling packaged goods)

   Required if your food truck sells packaged, pre-manufactured food items in addition to prepared food. Issued by the Ohio Department of Agriculture, Division of Food Safety. Most trucks serving prepared-to-order food are covered by the Columbus Public Health license, but selling retail-packaged goods may trigger this additional state license.

   Official government source

   $50-$150/year·2-4 weeks

   $50-$150/year

   2-4 weeks

3. Ohio Secretary of State Business Registration

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

   Official government source

   $99-$125 depending on entity type·1-3 weeks (online filing)

   $99-$125 depending on entity type

   1-3 weeks (online filing)

1. Columbus Public Health Mobile Food Service License

   Required for all food trucks operating within the City of Columbus. Issued by Columbus Public Health, Environmental Health Division. Trucks are classified by risk level (Class 1-4) based on food handling complexity; higher-risk operations require more extensive inspections and higher fees.

   Official government source

   $150-$300/year depending on risk classification·2-4 weeks after application, plan review, and inspection

   $150-$300/year depending on risk classification

   2-4 weeks after application, plan review, and inspection

2. City of Columbus Business License

   Required for all businesses operating within the City of Columbus. Issued by the Columbus Division of Income Tax. Food trucks must obtain this general business license in addition to their food safety permits.

   Official government source

   $25-$50/year·1-2 weeks

   $25-$50/year

   1-2 weeks

3. Commissary Agreement

   Columbus Public Health requires all mobile food vendors to operate from an approved commissary — a licensed commercial kitchen for food storage, preparation, and vehicle cleaning. A signed commissary agreement must be submitted with your mobile food service license application.

   Official government source

   Varies (typically $200-$500/month to rent commissary space)·Arrange before permit application

   Varies (typically $200-$500/month to rent commissary space)

   Arrange before permit application

4. Designated Vending Site Permit

   Required to operate at designated vending sites on public property in Columbus. Contact the relevant city department for the specific location (park, street, etc.). Vending on private property requires property owner permission but generally no city permit.

   Official government source

   $50-$200 per site·1-3 weeks

   $50-$200 per site

   1-3 weeks

Official Sources

• Columbus Public Health - Food Safety
• Ohio Department of Taxation - Sales and Use Tax
• Ohio Department of Agriculture - Food Safety
• Ohio Secretary of State - Business Filings

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