Food/Ice Cream Truck

Mobile food establishments are food service operations that operate from a movable motor driven or propelled vehicle, structure, or craft that is able to change its location.

  • Mobile trucks that provide anything other than whole, uncut fresh fruits and vegetables, unprocessed honey, or pure maple products or that transport food as a delivery service, such as home delivery of grocery orders or restaurant takeout orders or delivery service, REQUIRE A PERMIT.
    1. For example, if the truck sells hot dogs, sandwiches, ice cream, snow cones, salads, roasted nuts, juice, milk, beverages, any temperature/time-controlled items, etc., A PERMIT IS REQUIRED.
  • Mobile trucks must obtain A PERMIT to operate FROM EACH BOARD OF HEALTH in whose jurisdiction they will be selling their product.
  • Mobile trucks must inform the Town Manager’s Office of intended location, hours, and/or routes.
  • Mobile trucks must also obtain a fire inspection.

Food Truck Permit Requirements

  1. Completed food/ice cream truck permit application
    • Within the application, please list any items that will be sold.
  2. Copy of valid food permit from where food is being prepared
  3. Copy of most recent inspection report
  4. Copy of Food Handler Manager certificate (ServSafe)
  5. Copy of Allergen Awareness certificate (Allergen Awareness)
  6. Copy of Workers compensation affidavit and liability insurance
  7. Copy of State Hawkers and Peddler’s License
  8. Copy of Vehicle registration
  9. Copy of auto insurance
  10. An pre-operational inspection as well as day of event inspection is needed.

Ice Cream Food Truck Permit Requirements

  1. Completed food/ice cream truck permit application
    • Within the application, please list any items that will be sold.
  2. Copy of valid food permit from where food is being prepared
  3. Copy of most recent inspection report
  4. Copy of Food Handler Manager certificate (ServSafe)
  5. Copy of Allergen Awareness certificate (Allergen Awareness)
  6. Copy of Workers compensation affidavit and liability insurance
  7. Copy of State Hawkers and Peddler’s License
  8. Copy of Vehicle registration
  9. Copy of auto insurance
  10. Police vending permit
  11. An pre-operational inspection as well as day of event inspection is needed.

If the mobile food truck or ice cream truck will be participating in a temporary event, the Health Department requires a temporary food truck/ice cream truck permit. The Town of Lexington’s Health Department requests this from the vendors so they are aware of what items are being brought to the event. If the truck already has a regular food truck/ice cream truck permit with the Town of Lexington, a temporary permit is not needed.

The above are guidelines and do not replace 105 CMR 590 or the FDA Food Code 2013.