Food Truck Permits & Licenses in Fort Wayne, IN

Covers propane/LP gas systems, extinguishers, and fire safety compliance.

Mandatory for food handling/sales. Requires plan review and on-site inspection.

Required for all LLC formation in Indiana. Annual report required separately (see below).

Applies to all active LLCs. Online filing recommended.

Renewal required upon LLC annual report if still in use. Search business name first at https://bsd.sos.in.gov/publicbusinesssearch.

Food trucks selling prepared food typically require this. Apply via INTIME portal.

ANSI-accredited course required (e.g., ServSafe). At least one certified handler on duty.

Requires plan review ($100+), approved commissary agreement, and vehicle inspection. Local health departments enforce.

Required even with annual permit for temporary setups. Local health dept issues.

Food trucks selling prepared food must collect and remit Indiana sales tax (7% statewide rate). Local option taxes may apply depending on jurisdiction. Registration is done via IN.gov's Tax Registration system: https://www.in.gov/dor/services/online-services/

Required if the food truck owner hires employees. Employers must withhold Indiana state income tax from employee wages. Registration is completed through the same Tax Registration portal: https://www.in.gov/dor/services/online-services/

All employers with one or more employees must register. Food truck owners without employees are not required. Rate decreases after three years of claim-free history. More info: https://www.in.gov/dwd/files/DWD-EI-BusinessRegistrationBrochure.pdf

LLCs are pass-through entities; owners report business income on personal Indiana tax returns (Form IT-40). This is not a business-level tax but a personal obligation of the owner(s).

Most Indiana cities and counties require a local business license or privilege tax. Food trucks must register with each municipality where they operate. Examples: Indianapolis Local Tax Registration (https://www.indy.gov), Fort Wayne Business License (https://www.fwinc.org). Mobile vendors may have additional zoning or health rules.

Indiana does not impose a franchise tax or gross receipts tax on LLCs. Business income is subject to the state’s flat individual income tax (3.05%) via pass-through taxation. No separate business-level gross income tax exists.

Required for LLCs with employees or those filing business tax returns. Single-member LLCs without employees may use owner’s SSN, but EIN is recommended for liability protection. Apply online at IRS.gov.

LLC owners must pay self-employment tax and file federal income tax. Estimated quarterly payments required if tax liability exceeds $1,000 annually. Applies to all sole proprietors and single-member LLCs.

While not a tax, this permit is mandatory for food trucks and often required before tax or business licensing. Regulated by local health departments under Indiana State Department of Health oversight. See local jurisdiction (e.g., https://www.mchd.org/food-safety).

Required for all food trucks operating in Indianapolis/Marion County. Includes health inspection compliance.

While FDA does not directly license food trucks, the FDA Food Code is adopted by states and enforced locally. Federal authority applies when food is transported across state lines or involves interstate commerce. Food trucks must follow FDA guidelines on food handling, temperature control, cross-contamination, and employee hygiene. The 2022 FDA Food Code is the current standard.

Under FSMA, responsible parties must report to FDA via the Reportable Food Registry if there is a reasonable probability that an article of food will cause serious adverse health consequences. This applies to food trucks that prepare or serve potentially hazardous foods (e.g., meat, dairy, eggs).

Required if the business engages in interstate transportation of food or uses ingredients sourced across state lines. Registration must be renewed every two years.

Mobile slaughtering or processing operations require continuous inspection. Pre-packaged items may be exempt if sourced from USDA-inspected facilities.

All Indiana LLCs must file an annual report with the Secretary of State. The report confirms business address, registered agent, and management structure. Failure to file may lead to loss of good standing or dissolution.

Food trucks selling prepared food must collect Indiana sales tax (7%). The sales tax license does not expire but must be renewed every two years via the Department of Revenue's online portal.

At least one employee with managerial control must hold a valid Food Protection Manager Certification (e.g., ServSafe, ANSI-accredited). Certification must be renewed every 5 years. Individual responsibility, not business entity.

Inspections ensure compliance with Indiana Food Code. Unannounced inspections are standard. Violations must be corrected within specified timeframes.

Must comply with zoning districts allowing mobile vendors (e.g., not residential). Site-specific approval needed for fixed locations.

Temporary A-frame or magnetic signs often exempt; applies to fixed signage.

Required commissary (approved kitchen) for cleaning/water/waste. No street parking overnight.

Plan review required. Separate from Indianapolis/Marion.

Includes health and fire inspection verification.

Requires approved commissary and servicing area.

Required for all employers with one or more employees in Indiana, including part-time and full-time. Sole proprietors without employees are exempt but may elect coverage. Food truck operations typically classified under NAICS 722330 (Mobile Food Services), risk code 8018.

Not universally mandated at state level, but many Indiana cities (e.g., Indianapolis, Fort Wayne) require proof of general liability insurance ($1 million per occurrence) as part of mobile food vendor permit applications. Strongly recommended due to risk of customer injury or property damage.

Required in many cities (e.g., Indianapolis, Fort Wayne). Ensures safe operation of gas systems, fire extinguishers, and emergency exits. Certificate often required for event participation.

Employers must withhold state income tax from employee wages. Filings due monthly or quarterly based on liability. Form WH-1 must be filed annually by January 31 to reconcile.

EIN is a one-time assignment, but ongoing tax reporting is required. Food truck LLCs with employees must file quarterly Form 941 and annual Form 940.

LLC owners must make estimated tax payments on business profits. Due quarterly. Applies to sole proprietors and partners in multi-member LLCs unless taxed as S-corp.

Individual owners of LLCs must pay estimated state income tax on business profits. Due same dates as federal estimates.

Must display current mobile food permit, health inspection certificate, and business license (if required locally) inside or on the unit where visible to inspectors and customers.

Required postings include Indiana Minimum Wage, EEO, FMLA, and OSHA posters. Available for free download from Indiana Department of Labor website.

IRS recommends keeping all business tax records (income, expenses, payroll) for at least 3 years. Employment tax records must be kept for at least 4 years. Indiana follows same standards.

Employers must file Form UCR-1 and pay unemployment insurance tax quarterly. New employers pay 2.5% on first $9,500 of each employee’s wages.

Most food truck employers meet this threshold. Form 940 is filed annually, but tax may be deposited quarterly if liability is large.

Indiana law (IC 9-26-1-2) requires all motor vehicles operated on public roads to carry liability insurance meeting minimums: $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, $10,000 property damage. Food trucks must be insured under commercial auto policy, not personal policy, due to business use.

Indiana requires a $5,000 surety bond for mobile food vendors under 410 IAC 7-22-14(b). The bond ensures compliance with state food safety regulations and covers costs of unpaid fines or violations. Bond must be issued by a surety licensed in Indiana.

Not legally required by Indiana state law, but strongly recommended for food businesses due to risk of foodborne illness claims. Often bundled with general liability. Required indirectly through contracts with event organizers or municipalities.

Mandatory for any food truck holding a liquor license in Indiana. Required under IC 7.1-3-10-10.5. Minimum $1 million in coverage per incident. Also subject to dram shop liability under Indiana law (IC 7.1-5-10).

Single-member LLCs with no employees may use the owner's Social Security Number, but obtaining an EIN is recommended for liability protection and banking purposes. EIN is required for food trucks that hire staff or file business tax returns.

As an LLC taxed as a disregarded entity (single-member) or partnership (multi-member), the food truck owner(s) report profits on personal tax returns. Self-employment tax (15.3% for Social Security and Medicare) applies to net earnings. Food truck income is subject to both income and self-employment taxes.

Employers must provide a safe workplace, including hazard communication training, accessible safety data sheets (SDS), and reporting of work-related fatalities or hospitalizations within 8 hours. Mobile food operations must comply with standards for fire safety, electrical systems, and slip-resistant surfaces.

Food trucks must ensure that customers with disabilities have equal access to goods and services. This includes accessible ordering and pick-up points (e.g., counter height, clear floor space), communication access, and service policies. While full architectural compliance is not required for temporary structures, reasonable modifications must be made to serve disabled patrons.

Under Section 203 of the Clean Air Act, tampering with emission control systems is prohibited. Refrigerant handling in cooling units must comply with EPA Section 608 regulations if servicing equipment containing ozone-depleting substances. Technicians must be certified to recover refrigerant, though food truck operators may outsource maintenance.

All advertising (including social media, menus, signage) must be truthful, non-deceptive, and substantiated. Food truck operators must not misrepresent ingredients, portion sizes, or pricing. If claiming "organic," "gluten-free," or "locally sourced," claims must meet FTC and FDA standards. Applies to all businesses engaged in commerce.

Employers must verify identity and work authorization using Form I-9. Copies of documents (e.g., passport, driver’s license) must be retained. E-Verify is not federally mandated for most small businesses but may be required in some states or federal contracts.

Employees must be paid at least $7.25/hour (federal minimum wage). Overtime pay (1.5x regular rate) required for hours over 40 in a workweek. Tip credits are allowed only if the food truck qualifies as a "restaurant" under FLSA and follows strict notice and accounting rules. Most food trucks do not qualify for tip credits due to mobile nature and lack of regular tipping custom.