Food truck resources in North Carolina
North Carolina requires mobile food vendors to obtain a permit from the local county health department, which operates under rules set by the NC Department of Health and Human Services. Food trucks are classified as mobile food units under 15A NCAC 18A .2600 and must pass an inspection. A commissary or approved food preparation facility is required. A North Carolina sales tax registration from the Department of Revenue is mandatory. Charlotte, Raleigh, and other cities have additional zoning and vendor permit requirements.
Permits
View allNorth Carolina County and City Permit Guide
A detailed breakdown of county and city permit requirements across North Carolina's key food truck markets, from Charlotte to Asheville to the Research Triangle.
North Carolina
How to Apply for a Food Truck Permit in North Carolina
A step-by-step guide to the North Carolina food truck permit application process, from business registration to county health department permitting.
North Carolina
North Carolina Food Truck Permit Requirements
A comprehensive guide to every permit and license required to operate a food truck in North Carolina, from county health department permits to NC Department of Revenue registration.
North Carolina
Guides
View allNorth Carolina Commissary Kitchen Requirements
What North Carolina requires for commissary kitchens, how to find an approved facility in Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham, or Asheville, and what your commissary agreement must include.
North Carolina
North Carolina Food Truck Insurance Requirements
What insurance do you need to operate a food truck in North Carolina? This guide covers NC's higher-than-average auto minimums, general liability, commercial auto, and workers' comp.
North Carolina
How to Start a Food Truck Business in North Carolina
Everything you need to know to launch a food truck in the Tar Heel State — from writing a business plan to serving your first customer in one of the Southeast's fastest-growing food truck markets.
North Carolina
Checklists
View allNorth Carolina Food Truck Launch Checklist
The complete pre-launch checklist for starting your North Carolina food truck — every permit, every task, nothing missed in the Tar Heel State.
North Carolina
North Carolina Health Inspection Checklist for Food Trucks
Know exactly what health inspectors look for during a food truck inspection in North Carolina. Use this checklist to prepare and stay compliant with the NC Food Code.
North Carolina