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

   $50 per fixed place of business (ORC 5739.17)·Immediate to 1 week (online registration)

   $50 per fixed place of business (ORC 5739.17)

   Immediate to 1 week (online registration)

2. No separate ODA retail license for typical food trucks

   Food trucks that prepare and sell food on-site (the normal food truck model) are regulated solely by the local health department (Columbus Public Health) under its mobile food license — there is no separate mandatory Ohio Department of Agriculture retail license layered on top. ODA licensing would only apply if food is manufactured at one location and sold at another location away from where it's made.

   Official government source

   N/A — no separate ODA license applies to typical food truck operations·2-4 weeks

   N/A — no separate ODA license applies to typical food truck operations

   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 (flat fee for LLC Articles of Organization or Corporation Articles of Incorporation)·3-7 business days (online filing); 2-3 weeks (mail)

   $99 (flat fee for LLC Articles of Organization or Corporation Articles of Incorporation)

   3-7 business days (online filing); 2-3 weeks (mail)

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. No general Columbus business license exists

   Columbus does not have a general city business license issued by the Division of Income Tax — no such blanket license exists for food trucks. Food trucks instead need a Mobile Food Vendor (MFV) license from the Columbus Department of Public Safety, License Section (4252 Groves Rd, 614-645-8366), plus a Columbus Public Health food service license — not an Income Tax Division business license.

   Official government source

   N/A — no general business license required·N/A

   N/A — no general business license required

   N/A

3. Commissary Agreement

   Columbus Public Health requires a Restricted Mobile Commissary Agreement only for pushcarts, or for any mobile unit that uses a licensed outside facility to prepare or store food. Trucks, trailers, and knockdowns that make all food on the unit do not need one. The agreement commits you to a licensed servicing area (OAC 3717-1-01) and is signed by the commissary operator and submitted with the mobile food service license application, per OAC 3717-1-09(D).

   Official government source

   No city fee for the agreement itself; any cost is the rent the licensed commissary operator charges you, negotiated privately.·Arrange before permit application

   No city fee for the agreement itself; any cost is the rent the licensed commissary operator charges you, negotiated privately.

   Arrange before permit application

4. Designated Vending Site Permit

   Vending on public property in Columbus (parks, streets, etc.) requires a permit from whichever department manages that property — e.g. Recreation and Parks for park vending, Public Service for street vending. Requirements and fees vary by location; confirm with the relevant department before selecting a site. Vending on private property requires property-owner permission but generally no separate city permit.

   Official government source

   Varies by location and permit type — confirm with the issuing department·Varies — confirm with the issuing department

   Varies by location and permit type — confirm with the issuing department

   Varies — confirm with the issuing department

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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