Thinking about a food truck business in NYC? For many entrepreneurs or chefs, having a food truck in New York City is a dream. But an exciting idea!
So, before you start dreaming, you need to know the official requirements to start a food truck street business. You need an official license or permit to ensure that the food you are selling is safe to eat, and your truck isn’t a fire hazard or blocking traffic.
Starting this business is not as simple as fun. NYC has a strict rulebook behind delicious aromas. The city prefers public health and managing its street space. Which leads to a stringent application process.
Let’s explore the complete information that you need for a food truck business’s licenses.
Start With Business Registration
To utilize your business idea, you need to fulfil some basic legal requirements. Getting an official license and permit is your window to turn your food truck business into reality.
It includes:
- Employer Identification Number (EIN): Obtained from the IRS, this is your federal tax ID.
- NYS Business Registration: Register your business entity (LLC, sole proprietorship).
- State Sales Tax Certificate of NYC Authority: This allows you to collect sales tax on your food sales.
- Workers’ Compensation and Disability Insurance: Required if you have employees.
Business License cost in NYC
In New York, the cost of your business depends on the type and scope of your business. Moreover, it’s not a one-time fee. You need to renew this time to time, and prices may vary every time depending on the situation. Business license in NYC costs between $100 to $200.
Mobile Food Vendor License:
This is the business license; you need to become a food vendor in NYC.
Who Needs It?
- Every person who will prepare food in your food-selling unit.
- Issuing Agency: DOHMH (Department of Health and Mental Hygiene) issues licenses for food trucks.
Requirements:
These are the basic requirements for a food vendor license:
- Food Protection Course: You must pass the DOHMH’s Food Protection Course for Mobile Vendors. This course covers crucial food safety practices.
- Application: Apply in person.
What is the cost of Mobile Vendor License?
The cost of a mobile vendor license depends on your application. Whether the applicant is a new vendor or has applied for vendor renewal. It costs $50.
Key Point: There’s no waiting list for this individual license, but it’s a prerequisite for the unit permit.
Public Health Permit/License In NYC
It is often in many countries that a person who is selling food (food vendor) in the street must have a public health license.
Why is it compulsory to have a health permit for a food vendor business?
It is important to fulfil the official health security terminology for the state. It makes sure that the public is in safe hands.
How Much Public Health Permits Cost?
The process of public health permits cost depends on the risk level of the food you are selling. If you are cooking food on the street, it’s riskier than the prepackaged food.
- Public Health Permit/license costs between $100-$1000
Fire Department Certificates
FDNY (Fire Department of the city of New York) requires fire safety for food trucks to ensure all cooking equipment, propane tanks limited to 100lb tanks and have fire suppression systems, specifically K-Class fire extinguishers, hood suppression systems meet fire safety codes. You’ll need appropriate certifications.
Major Regulations for Parking & Zoning
Parking and zoning regulations are a major challenge in New York.
You cannot simply park your vehicle anywhere on the street. You must follow the strict rules, maintaining the specific distance for:
- Crosswalks
- fire hydrants
- building entrances
- bus stops
- brick-and-mortar restaurants.
Specific Vending Zones:
Some areas might have designated vending zones or special event permits.
Don’t Let This Paperwork Overshadow Your Passion
Getting all these right papers for your NYC food trucks is a lot to handle. It takes special know-how. We’ve got that expertise. King Taxing Inc. is here to help you with your applications and certification process. We’ll help turn your exciting food truck dream into a delicious reality on New York’s lively streets.
FAQ’s
This is your individual license to prepare and sell food from a truck in NYC, issued by DOHMH. Every person working on the truck who handles food must obtain it after passing a food protection course.
You need a mobile food vendor license by passing a food protection course and applying in person at the DCWP license center. You must pay the required fees for both the course and the license.
The registration process involves two main official procedures NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP):
- Mobile Food Vending License
- Mobile Food Vending Unit Permit
The estimated cost for food truck business costs between $100 to $200.
A public health permit is the foremost requirement to make sure of the health and sanitation standard for Public.
