Permits, licensing, health authority, costs, and veteran-business programs for launching a food truck in California.
Permits & licensing
- Form an entity with the CA Secretary of State; obtain an EIN; apply for a CDTFA Seller Permit.
- Submit MFF plans for plan-check with the county env health dept; pass plan-check and a pre-operational MFF inspection.
- Obtain a city business license for each city of operation (LA and SF require separate registrations).
- Get a California Food Handler card for every employee and a CFPM credential for a supervisor.
- Sign and file the commissary agreement letter.
Health inspection
County inspectors enforce CalCode: water tank sizing, handwash sink, three-compartment sink (some categories), fire suppression, propane certification, employee health, TCS temperatures. Inspections 2-3 times a year. Common failures: undersized tanks, propane non-compliance, missing commissary letters.
Commissary requirement
CalCode requires MFFs to be serviced from an approved commissary unless operating limited-service (pre-packaged only).
Cost breakdown
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Used truck or trailer build | $50,000 | $160,000 |
| Permits + licenses (year 1) | $2,500 | $7,000 |
| Commissary (monthly x 6 mo) | $4,800 | $12,000 |
| Insurance (annual) | $3,500 | $7,500 |
| Initial inventory | $2,500 | $6,000 |
| Working capital reserve | $17,000 | $57,500 |
| Total | $80,000 | $250,000 |
Top metros to start in
-
Los Angeles
Largest US food truck market; intense competition but huge demand and mature commissary network.
-
San Francisco / Bay Area
High price tolerance, tech-campus catering, high cost-of-entry.
-
San Diego
Year-round weather, military-base catering.
Common mistakes
- Underestimating LA plan-check timelines (often 8-12 weeks).
- Buying an out-of-state truck that fails CalCode and needs costly retrofits.
- Skipping the city business license on top of the county MFF permit, or ignoring DVBE certification when targeting state contracts.
Related FAQs
How do I get a mobile food permit?
Apply through your county or city health department for a mobile food facility permit, plus a business license from your city clerk and a sales tax permit from your state revenue department. Most jurisdictions require a plan review, commissary letter, and onsite truck inspection before issuing.
How do I find a commissary kitchen?
Search "commissary kitchen near me" plus directories like The Kitchen Door, CloudKitchens, and your local food truck association vendor list. Tour at least three. Confirm 24/7 access, dry and cold storage, grease trap, potable water fill, and wastewater dump before signing a month-to-month agreement.
How much does it cost to start a food truck in 2026?
Total startup typically ranges from $50,000 to $200,000+ depending on used vs. new truck, market, and equipment. Food Truck Empire and Restaurant Business industry surveys consistently report most first-time operators land in roughly the $75,000-$150,000 range including truck, equipment, permits, and 90-day working capital.
How much insurance do I really need?
At minimum: commercial auto, general liability ($1M/$2M typical), product liability, property coverage for equipment, and workers compensation if you have employees. Add an umbrella ($1-5M) and event-specific coverage as needed. Total premiums commonly fall in a $2,500-$6,000 range per year.
How do I structure my LLC?
File LLC articles of organization with your state secretary of state, write an operating agreement (even solo), get an EIN, open a business bank account, and elect S-corp tax treatment only after net profit reliably exceeds the IRS reasonable-salary threshold. A CPA should run the math.