Food Truck Permit Requirements in Nashville, TN

Complete permit and license guide for starting a food truck in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee.

Updated 2026-03-13 8 stops $400–$1,000 est. 3-6 weeks
Get my personalized route — $14.99

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/corporation. Free from the IRS.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online)

State of Tennessee

3 stops

  1. Tennessee Sales Tax Certificate

    Required for all businesses selling taxable goods or services in Tennessee. Issued by the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Food truck sales of prepared food are subject to Tennessee sales tax.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online registration)

  2. Tennessee Secretary of State Business Registration

    Required to register your business entity (LLC, corporation, or partnership) in Tennessee. Sole proprietors may operate under a DBA. Filing fees vary by entity type.

    Official government source

    $50-$300 depending on entity type1-2 weeks (online filing)

  3. Tennessee Department of Agriculture Food Handler Requirements

    The Tennessee Department of Agriculture oversees food safety standards for mobile food units. Food employees must complete food handler training; at least one manager must hold a valid food protection manager certification.

    Official government source

    $15-$150 per person depending on certification level1-5 days for course and exam

City of Nashville / Davidson County

4 stops

  1. Metro Nashville Mobile Food Establishment Permit

    Required for all food trucks operating in Nashville-Davidson County. Issued by the Metro Public Health Department of Nashville and Davidson County. Class II (limited cooking) or Class III (full cooking) permits are required depending on your menu; Class III requires a full commissary agreement.

    Official government source

    $200-$350/year depending on permit class2-4 weeks after application, inspection, and commissary verification

  2. Metro Nashville Business Tax License

    Required for all businesses operating within Metro Nashville-Davidson County. Issued by the Metro Nashville Finance Department. Fee is based on gross revenue; most food trucks pay in the lower tier.

    Official government source

    $15-$100/year based on gross revenue1-2 weeks

  3. Commissary Agreement

    All mobile food vendors in Nashville must operate from an approved commissary — a licensed commercial kitchen for food storage, prep, and vehicle cleaning. You must provide a signed commissary agreement to Metro Public Health as part of your permit application.

    Official government source

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

  4. Metro Nashville Zoning Permit for Vending Locations

    Required to operate at specific vending locations within Davidson County. Issued by the Metro Nashville Planning Department. Zoning restrictions vary by district; some areas require property owner consent and zoning approval before vending.

    Official government source

    $50-$150 per location1-3 weeks

Terminus

Open for business — est. $400–$1,000 · 3-6 weeks

Want this mapped to your exact business and structure, in filing order?

Get my personalized route — $14.99

Official Sources

Related Guides