Legal Requirements for a Food Truck in Miami

Local governments are responding by adopting regulations that govern how food trucks operate in their communities.

Miami has long been a food truck mecca, but operating a food truck business is not as simple as putting your menu on wheels. Here are a few things you need to know if you are thinking about starting a food truck business in Miami:

• Your food truck must be built to state-specific requirements. All food preparation and service must be conducted within the vehicle and all cooking equipment must also be located inside the food truck.
• Miami food trucks are required to have refrigeration, electricity, storage, freshwater tank, liquid waste tank and a three-compartment sink.
• Food trucks must obtain and dump water in an approved nonresidential location (that is not a restaurant).
• If four or more people are engaged in food service, a certified food manager must be present. The certified food manager must pass a Food Management Certification test.

Food truck licenses and permits

To operate a food truck in Miami, you must obtain a Certificate of Use that is renewable on an annual basis. You must provide information on the business, including hours of operation, and provide a copy of your required state license for food service establishments.

There are three types of permits available for food truck operators in Miami:

Special event permit – This permit allows your food truck to operate on private property twice a year for two weeks each time and on public property 10 times a year for two weeks each time.

Peddler’s license – This license is for food trucks that are always moving and only stop to serve (like an ice cream truck).

Vacant land permit – This permit allows you to park your food truck on vacant land (excluding parking lots and abandoned property) for up to six months, and is renewable in six-month increments for up to two years