Food trucks in Indiana
Indiana food trucks, trailers and carts are licensed as mobile retail food establishments by the local health department, and they must meet the state retail food code, 410 IAC 7-26, which the Indiana Department of Health adopted to replace 410 IAC 7-24. House Enrolled Act 1577 (2025) creates a statewide mobile license so a truck can move county to county without a separate local license in each one. According to the bill author's caucus, local health departments will handle issuing that license, collecting fees and semiannual inspections beginning in 2027.
Who issues food truck permits in Indiana
Licensed by county or city health departments
Marion County Public Health Department's commissary guide says that by code all mobile food units must operate from a base of operation or commissary, with special consideration for units selling only single-serving, commercially prepackaged ice cream products. Allen County requires an approved, licensed commissary that the unit reports to at least daily, with an exception for fairs or festivals where moving the unit is impossible, and private homes cannot be used. Tippecanoe County policy also requires an approved commissary. Source ↗
Indiana's sales tax is 7 percent. The Indiana Department of Revenue issues a Registered Retail Merchant Certificate once you register through INBiz to collect sales tax, and Marion County Public Health Department's mobile food unit application asks for a copy of your Retail Merchant Certificate. Source ↗
Tippecanoe County's 2026 mobile plan review packet states that, per the Indiana Fire Code, fire extinguishers must carry an inspection tag dated within the past 12 months and extension cords are prohibited. It also says a generator or LP gas must be stored on the outside of the unit. Allen County tells operators to contact the Fort Wayne Fire Department or their local fire department to schedule any required inspections. Source ↗
Food truck cities in Indiana
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Questions and answers
Who licenses food trucks in Indiana right now?
The local health department where you operate. For example, Marion County Public Health Department licenses mobile units in Indianapolis, and Allen, Hamilton and Tippecanoe counties run their own mobile permits. Units must meet Indiana's retail food code, 410 IAC 7-26.
What changes with House Enrolled Act 1577?
It creates a statewide mobile retail food establishment license so a food truck can go county to county without a local license in each location. According to the Indiana House Republican caucus summary of May 27, 2025, local health departments will issue the license, collect fees and inspect twice a year beginning in 2027, and the combined application and license fee is capped at $450.
Do Indiana food trucks need a commissary?
In the counties checked, yes. Marion County says that by code all mobile food units must operate from a base of operation or commissary, Allen County requires a licensed commissary the unit reports to at least daily, and Tippecanoe County requires an approved commissary.
Does a county health permit cover the cities inside that county?
Not always. Hamilton County's mobile permit application tells operators to contact each city or town where they will operate to find out whether it requires an additional mobile permit.
Sources
Facts checked against official sources on October 3, 2026. Rules change: confirm with the agency before you apply.
- www.indianahouserepublicans.com/news/press-releases/rep.-king-s-bill-to-support-food-truck-vendors-signed-into-law/
- www.in.gov/dor/business-tax/sales-tax/
- www.tippecanoe.in.gov/329/Foods-Division
- www.tippecanoe.in.gov/DocumentCenter/View/51877
- marionhealth.org/programs/environmental-health/food-and-consumer-safety/mobile-licensing/
- marionhealth.org/media/2u3jwxmo/mobileapplicationupdated-2025.pdf
- marionhealth.org/media/nn1hwwly/commissary-and-menu-guide.pdf
- allencountyhealth.com/licensing/applications-forms
- s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/assets.allencountyhealth.com/uploads/Apps-Forms/Mobile-Food-Unit-Requirements-Approved-6-9-25-FINAL.pdf?v=1769435281
- s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/assets.allencountyhealth.com/uploads/Apps-Forms/Food-Packets/New-Mobile-Packet.pdf?v=1769435290
- www.hamiltoncounty.in.gov/256/Food-Establishment-Program
- www.hamiltoncounty.in.gov/1601/Health-Dept-Permits-Applications-and-For
- www.hamiltoncounty.in.gov/DocumentCenter/View/299