Food Truck Permits & Licenses in Provo, UT

Required for all LLCs. Annual renewal report also required (see separate entry). Fees as of 2024.

All active LLCs must file annually to maintain good standing. No exam or prerequisites.

Utah uses "Commercial Name Registration" instead of traditional DBA. Renewal every 5 years ($22).

Food trucks classified as "mobile food service" under R392-100. Requires plan review, inspection, HACCP plan. Issued by county/local health dept (e.g., Salt Lake County Health: slchealth.org). State standards enforced locally.

Required for food trucks vending unpackaged food. Must have health dept approval first. Commissary agreement required. Effective rules as per R51-502 (updated 2023).

All food trucks selling prepared food (taxable) need this. File returns monthly/quarterly based on revenue.

Food trucks selling prepared food must collect and remit sales tax. Registration required even if operating temporarily. Fee is a one-time $15 application fee.

Required for any employer paying wages to employees in Utah. Includes owner-employees if the LLC has elected corporate taxation. No registration fee.

Employers must register with Utah Workforce Services and pay quarterly unemployment insurance taxes. New employers pay 2.7% on first $19,500 of each employee's wages (2024 rate).

Required for federal tax reporting. Single-member LLCs with no employees may use owner's SSN, but EIN is recommended. Obtained via IRS Form SS-4.

LLC formation with the state includes registration for state tax purposes. Required to legally operate. Fee includes initial filing. Does not replace tax-specific registrations.

Single-member LLCs are disregarded entities and report income on owner's Form 1040 (Schedule C). Multi-member LLCs file Form 1065. Estimated taxes due quarterly (Form 1040-ES/1065).

LLC income flows to owner's Utah Individual Income Tax return (Form TC-40). Multi-member LLCs may need to file pass-through entity return. Estimated taxes due quarterly.

Frequency based on sales volume. Filers with $100k+ annual sales typically file monthly. Must file even if no tax collected (zero return).

Most Utah cities (e.g., Salt Lake City, Provo, Ogden) require a local business license or privilege tax. Food trucks must register with each city they operate in. Check individual city websites for fees and forms.

1% tax on gross receipts from food sales in Salt Lake County, collected by Salt Lake County. Separate from state sales tax. Applies to food trucks operating in unincorporated areas or cities within the district.

Forming an LLC is required to legally operate. Enables tax registration, banking, and liability protection. Does not replace tax-specific registrations.

Required in all jurisdictions. Includes food handler certification and inspection. Must be renewed annually.

Required for all businesses including food trucks; mobile food vendors must specify operations. SLC Code Title 5.

Includes plan review, inspections; commissary agreement required. Effective fees as of 2024.

Separate from city requirements; requires HFM certification for operator.

Required for operations involving open flames, hood systems. 2024 IFC edition.

Requires certified food handler on duty; separate commissary permit needed.

As an LLC, the food truck owner reports profits/losses on Schedule C. If net earnings exceed $400, self-employment tax applies. Food truck income is subject to both income and self-employment taxes.

Employers must provide a safe workplace. For food trucks, this includes safe handling of propane tanks, cooking equipment, slip-resistant footwear, and emergency exits. OSHA Form 300 (injury log) required if 11+ employees.

While mobile units are not always required to be fully accessible, if a food truck chooses to serve customers directly from the unit, it must allow access to individuals with disabilities to the extent readily achievable. This may include verbal menu availability, accessible payment methods, and physical access if feasible.

Propane is an approved refrigerant and fuel, but EPA requires proper handling to prevent releases. Technicians servicing propane systems may need Section 608 certification if refrigerant is involved. Propane storage and use must comply with EPA and DOT safety standards.

FTC enforces truth-in-advertising laws. Food trucks must not make false claims about food sourcing, health benefits, or pricing. If operating in interstate commerce (e.g., advertising online), FTC jurisdiction applies. Menu labeling requirements under the Affordable Care Act apply only to chains with 20+ locations—exempt for most food trucks.

All employers must complete Form I-9 to verify identity and work authorization. E-Verify is not federally required unless in a state that mandates it (Utah does not for small businesses). Records must be retained for 3 years after hire or 1 year after termination.

FLSA covers minimum wage, overtime, recordkeeping, and youth employment. Even small food trucks must comply if they have employees. Some states have higher minimum wages, but Utah follows federal rate.

Food trucks classified under retail food; zoning approval required separately.

Requires Weber County Health approval; no vending within 300ft of schools.

Fire inspection and LP gas certification required.

No vending in residential zones; 200ft from restaurants. Site plan review.

Requires three-compartment sink, handwash station.

Required for all employers with one or more employees in Utah, including part-time and temporary workers. Sole proprietors without employees are exempt. Coverage must be obtained through a licensed insurer or approved self-insurance program.

Not mandated by state law directly, but required by local health departments (e.g., Salt Lake County, Utah County) as a condition of food service permit. Most jurisdictions require minimum $1 million in general liability coverage for mobile food vendors.

Utah law requires all motor vehicles operated on public roads to carry minimum liability coverage: $25,000 bodily injury per person, $65,000 bodily injury per accident, $15,000 property damage (25/65/15). Personal auto policies do not cover commercial use; commercial auto policy required for food trucks.

Some Utah counties (e.g., Salt Lake County) require a surety bond (typically $5,000) as part of the food service permit process to ensure compliance with health codes. Bond amount and requirement vary by jurisdiction.

Not mandated by Utah law, but strongly recommended for food businesses due to risk of illness or injury claims. Often required by event organizers, landlords, or markets as a condition of participation.

Not required by Utah law for food trucks. May be recommended if offering consulting or catering planning services, but not standard for typical food truck operations.

Mandatory for any business holding a liquor license in Utah. Requires minimum $1 million in liability coverage per occurrence. Food trucks must obtain a Mobile Food and Beverage License and carry this insurance to serve alcohol.

While often included in Workers’ Compensation policies, Employer’s Liability Insurance covers legal costs if an employee sues for work-related injury/illness not fully covered under Workers’ Comp. Strongly recommended for all employers with employees.

While not required for sole proprietorships with no employees, most LLCs—especially those in food service—will need an EIN for tax and banking purposes. Food trucks structured as LLCs typically require an EIN.

If the LLC has employees, it must register for Utah withholding tax and file periodic returns. Employers must withhold state income tax from employee wages and remit it to the Utah State Tax Commission.

An EIN is a one-time requirement. Once issued, it does not expire. Required for LLCs with employees or those filing certain tax forms. Not required for sole proprietors with no employees, but often used for banking purposes.

Employers must file quarterly unemployment tax reports (Form UCT-6/UCT-9) and pay unemployment insurance tax on the first $34,000 of wages per employee. New employers are assigned a standard rate of 2.7%.

All domestic food facilities must register with FDA. Food trucks are considered food facilities. Registration must be renewed every 2 years during even-numbered years (most recent renewal: December 31, 2022; next: December 31, 2024).

While the FDA Food Code is model guidance, it is adopted by states. Federal requirements under the Bioterrorism Act include maintaining records for high-risk foods and enabling traceback during outbreaks. Food trucks must comply with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) for food safety.

Propane is a hazardous material. If transporting more than 100 lbs of propane, drivers may need hazardous materials endorsement (HME) on their license and compliance with 49 CFR. However, most food trucks fall under "non-bulk" or "exceptions for retail propane" (49 CFR §173.306). Proper cylinder securing and ventilation required.

All food trucks that are not exempt must comply with FSMA’s Preventive Controls Rule (21 CFR Part 117). This includes hazard analysis, written food safety plans, sanitation procedures, and recordkeeping. Most food trucks are covered unless they meet exemption criteria (e.g., only sell non-potentially hazardous food).

All Utah LLCs must file an Annual Report each year by the first business day of the anniversary month of the LLC’s formation. For example, if formed on March 15, the report is due March 1 each year. The report confirms current business information including principal address, registered agent, and management structure.

As of July 1, 2021, Utah eliminated expiration dates for sales tax licenses. Once issued, the license remains active as long as the business remains compliant with tax filing requirements. No renewal is required unless canceled by the taxpayer or the state.

Food trucks collecting sales tax must file returns based on assigned frequency (monthly or quarterly) determined by the Tax Commission. All returns and payments must be submitted electronically via TaxClear.

Most cities (e.g., Salt Lake City, Provo) require the business license or mobile food permit to be visibly displayed inside the food truck. Failure to display may result in fines.

The mobile food establishment permit issued by the health department must be visibly posted inside the unit where customers can see it, typically near the service window.

Employers must display federal and state labor law posters, including Minimum Wage, EEO, OSHA, and Utah Antidiscrimination Act. Posters must be visible to employees in a common area. Available for free download from the Utah Labor Commission website.

Businesses must retain all sales records, tax returns, and supporting documents for at least 4 years from the due date of the return. This includes invoices, receipts, and electronic records.

The IRS recommends keeping business tax records for at least 3 years from the date filed, or 7 years if claiming a loss carryback. Employment tax records must be kept for at least 4 years.

In most Utah counties, all food handlers must obtain a Food Handler Permit by passing an approved training course. Valid for 5 years. Required for any employee preparing or serving food.

LLC members are subject to pass-through taxation. If the expected Utah income tax liability is $1,000 or more, quarterly estimated tax payments are required. Deadlines align with federal estimated tax deadlines.

Self-employed individuals in an LLC must make quarterly estimated federal income and self-employment tax payments using Form 1040-ES.

Each county requires a mobile food establishment permit. Renewal is annual and includes inspection. Fees and deadlines vary by jurisdiction. Example: Salt Lake County requires renewal by January 1 each year. See local health department for specific requirements.

Mobile food units are subject to routine and complaint-based inspections by the local health department. Inspections ensure compliance with food safety codes including temperature control, hygiene, and equipment sanitation.

Cities such as Salt Lake City require annual fire safety inspections for mobile food units to ensure compliance with fire codes, including fuel storage, fire extinguishers, and ventilation. Permit may be required before operation.