Food Truck Permits & Licenses in Cambridge, MA

Applies to all food trucks selling ready-to-eat meals. The meals excise tax is 0.75% of gross receipts from taxable meals and is in addition to the 6.25% sales tax. Must be reported and paid via MassTaxConnect. Filing frequency depends on liability: monthly if average monthly tax > $1,000; otherwise quarterly.

Required for all mobile food vending; includes health inspection

Standby list for popular spots; lottery system

Food trucks prohibited in some districts; verify via BPDA zoning map

ServSafe certification required for manager

Extinguishers, suppression systems must pass

Temporary menu boards often exempt

Required for storage/parking when not vending

Limited spaces; application lottery

Separate commissary agreement required

Fire inspection also required locally

Annual report required separately ($500 fee, due by anniversary date). Online filing via corpnet.sos.state.ma.us

Must list current managers/members and registered agent

File in each city/town of operation; no state central filing

Food trucks classified as mobile food units; requires plan review and commissary agreement. Local board issues under state regs 105 CMR 590

Required servicing base with hot/cold water, wastewater disposal, refrigeration per state food code

May be preempted by local licenses; verify with city/town clerk. MGL c. 140, § 17-21

ANSI-accredited programs like ServSafe accepted; at least one PIC per shift

Food trucks selling prepared meals/hot food generally taxable at 6.25%; renews automatically

All food trucks selling prepared food must collect and remit sales tax. The general Massachusetts sales tax rate is 6.25% on all taxable sales. This applies regardless of business structure (LLC). Registration is done through MassTaxConnect.

Required if the food truck LLC has employees. Employers must withhold state income tax from employee wages and remit it to DOR. Registration is through MassTaxConnect.

All employers in Massachusetts must register with the DUA and pay unemployment insurance taxes. This applies to LLCs with employees. The tax is employer-funded; employees do not contribute.

LLCs not taxed as corporations must file Form 3/LLC annually to report income. Single-member LLCs disregarded for federal tax purposes may still need to file if they have Massachusetts-source income. Multi-member LLCs taxed as partnerships must file Form 3/LLC. Due date is March 15.

Standard LLCs are pass-through entities and not subject to this tax. However, if the LLC has elected corporate tax treatment with the IRS, it must pay Massachusetts corporation excise tax. Most food truck LLCs do not make this election.

Some municipalities impose a business privilege tax or excise on businesses operating within their borders. For example, Boston requires a 'Business Occupation License' ($25–$150) and Cambridge requires an annual $50 business registration. Check with city clerk or treasurer in each jurisdiction where the food truck operates regularly.

Must use approved servicing area/commissary

Mandatory for all employers in Massachusetts with at least one employee, per M.G.L. c. 152. Sole proprietors without employees are exempt but may elect coverage. Food truck LLC owners who work in the business are not automatically exempt if they have employees.

While not statutorily required by Massachusetts, most cities and towns (e.g., Boston, Cambridge) require proof of general liability insurance as a condition for food truck permits. Typical requirement: $1 million per occurrence.

Massachusetts law requires all motor vehicles operated on public roads to carry minimum liability coverage: $20,000 bodily injury per person, $40,000 per accident, $10,000 property damage (20/40/10). Commercial use requires commercial policy, not personal auto insurance.

Not legally required by Massachusetts, but strongly recommended. Often bundled with general liability. Covers claims related to food contamination, allergens, or foreign objects.

Mandatory for any food truck selling alcoholic beverages. Must carry liquor liability coverage as a condition of ABCC licensing. General liability policies typically exclude alcohol-related claims without this endorsement.

A $1,000 surety bond is required for MALT (malt beverage) retail licenses. Ensures compliance with state alcohol laws. Not required for food-only operations.

Not universally required. Some municipalities (e.g., Boston, Worcester) may require a surety bond as part of food service licensing to ensure compliance with health codes. Most do not. Verify with local Board of Health.

Used cooking oil and grease must be stored and disposed of properly to prevent environmental contamination. While federal EPA does not issue individual permits for food trucks, violations of the Clean Water Act (e.g., dumping waste into storm drains) are federally enforceable. Food trucks must use licensed grease haulers and comply with federal spill reporting requirements if applicable.

FTC enforces against deceptive advertising, including false claims about food sourcing, "organic" labeling, or health benefits. Applies to all public marketing (social media, menus, signage). Food trucks must ensure all claims are substantiated and not misleading.

All U.S. employers must complete Form I-9 to verify identity and work authorization for each employee. Form must be retained for 3 years after hire date or 1 year after employment ends, whichever is later. E-Verify is not required federally unless contracting with federal agencies.

Requires payment of federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour), overtime (1.5x regular rate after 40 hours/week), proper recordkeeping, and youth employment rules. Food truck employees (cooks, servers) are covered. Tip credits may apply if state law allows (Massachusetts does not allow tip credit toward minimum wage).

While the FDA Food Code is model guidance, it is adopted by Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Federal law (FD&C Act) prohibits sale of adulterated or misbranded food. FDA inspects interstate supply chains, but local health departments enforce on-site. Food truck operators must follow FDA-recommended practices for temperature control, cross-contamination, and employee hygiene.

All food trucks that prepare or serve food must register their business with the FDA as a food facility. Registration is free and done electronically via the FDA's online system. Must renew every 2 years during even-numbered years. Failure to register may result in enforcement actions.

Massachusetts requires all mobile food vendors to obtain a Mobile Food Vendor Permit from the local Board of Health. Must follow FDA Food Code for temperature control, handwashing, and food protection. Inspections are conducted by local health departments.

Mobile vendors selling raw meat must obtain product from USDA-inspected facilities and may require inspection. Processed meat products may require HACCP plans.

All domestic and foreign LLCs registered in Massachusetts must file an annual report. The report includes information such as principal office address, names and addresses of managers or members, and registered agent details. Must be filed online via the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s Commonwealth Corps Online Filing System.

Food trucks must obtain and renew a Food Establishment Permit from the local board of health where the truck operates. Permits are issued after inspection and must be renewed annually. Fees and deadlines vary by municipality.

Cities such as Boston, Cambridge, and Worcester require a separate mobile food vendor license. Requirements and renewal dates differ locally. Must be renewed annually and may require proof of state food permit and liability insurance.

Mobile food establishments are subject to routine and complaint-based inspections by the local board of health. Inspections evaluate food handling, storage, equipment sanitation, and personal hygiene. A passing inspection is required for permit renewal.

Mobile food trucks using gas or open flame cooking equipment must pass fire safety inspections per 527 CMR 1.0 (Massachusetts Fire Code). Inspections include review of gas line integrity, fire extinguisher placement, and ventilation systems.

Food truck operators must register with DOR and file Form TA-5 (Sales/Use Tax Return). Filing frequency (monthly, quarterly) is assigned by DOR based on sales volume. Meals tax (6.25%) applies to prepared food sold for immediate consumption.

Not legally required in Massachusetts for food trucks. May be relevant if offering catering planning or consulting services, but not standard for direct food sales. Considered optional.

Single-member LLCs with no employees may use the owner's SSN, but obtaining an EIN is recommended for liability separation and banking purposes. All food trucks structured as LLCs should obtain an EIN for tax and operational compliance.

A single-member LLC is disregarded for federal tax purposes and reports income on Schedule C of Form 1040. Multi-member LLCs file Form 1065 (unless electing corporate taxation). Food truck profits are subject to self-employment tax (15.3% for Social Security and Medicare).

Employers must provide a workplace free from recognized hazards, comply with OSHA standards, post required notices, and maintain injury/illness records (OSHA Form 300) if over 10 employees or in certain industries. Food truck operators must ensure safe handling of propane, hot surfaces, and slip hazards.

Food trucks are considered "public accommodations" under Title III of the ADA. Must ensure customers with disabilities can access goods and services. This includes verbal order-taking for vision-impaired individuals, allowing service animals, and ensuring physical access if customers approach the service window. Full vehicle ADA compliance is not required unless customers enter the truck.

LLC owners must make estimated tax payments if the business generates net income. Payments cover self-employment tax and income tax. Use Form 1040-ES.

EIN is a one-time requirement. No renewal needed. However, changes in ownership or structure may require updating IRS records.

All employers in Massachusetts must carry workers' compensation insurance. Employers must file annual premium audits and report employee payroll data. Failure to comply results in fines and potential stop-work orders.

Employers must file Form UI-3/40 each quarter and pay unemployment insurance contributions. New employers pay 2.6% for first 3 years.

Employers must display posters on minimum wage, OSHA rights, EEO, and family medical leave. Posters must be visible in a common area. Available in English and Spanish on the DLS website.

If the food truck operates under a trade name (e.g., 'Tasty Bites' instead of 'Tasty Bites LLC'), a Business Certificate (DBA) must be filed and renewed every 4 years with the city or town clerk where the business is located.

Most local boards of health require proof of general liability insurance (typically $1 million coverage) as part of the food permit application and renewal process. Certificate must name the municipality as additionally insured.

Businesses must retain records including sales invoices, tax returns, exemption certificates, and bank deposits for at least 3 years. Digital records acceptable if legible and secure.

All food facilities, including mobile food trucks, must register with the FDA. Registration must be renewed every 2 years during the renewal window. Failure to renew may result in enforcement action.

The food establishment permit must be displayed in a conspicuous location inside the food truck where customers can see it.

Businesses with 11 or more employees must maintain OSHA Form 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries) and post Form 300A annually from February 1 to April 30. Exempt if under 10 employees or in exempt industry.