Food trucks in Kentucky
Kentucky food trucks are permitted through local health departments as statewide mobile food units. Lexington-Fayette County Health Department offers State Mobile (605) and State Mobile Retail (610) permits and says a permitted unit pays one yearly fee and may operate statewide based on permit type, but it must notify the local health department where it will operate at least 48 hours in advance. Its plan review sheet says the truck's plumbing is inspected under the Kentucky State Plumbing Code, and trucks with cooking equipment also need a fire marshal inspection.
Who issues food truck permits in Kentucky
Licensed by county or city health departments
It depends on the permit type and on what you do off the truck. Louisville Metro says vendors who prepare or store food outside their permitted truck need an additional commissary permit, and that a statewide mobile food unit must be serviced and cleaned every day of operation. In Lexington, a State Mobile Retail (610) unit must work from a commissary if workers package food, while units selling only commercially prepackaged food do not need one. Source ↗
Kentucky sales and use tax is 6 percent of gross receipts and there are no local sales taxes, as stated by the Department of Revenue on 2026-10-03. Louisville's food truck vending permit asks for proof of state revenue registration. Source ↗
Lexington-Fayette County Health Department's statewide mobile plan review sheet says food trucks with cooking equipment, such as fryers and grills, must be inspected by the Office of the Fire Marshal. Louisville Fire's food truck page says the fire department checks the hood and suppression system, one 2A:10BC extinguisher plus Class K if a fryer is present, 10 feet of clearance from buildings and combustibles, secured upright propane cylinders, a propane leak test under NFPA 58, and generator exhaust at least 5 feet from openings. Source ↗
Food truck cities in Kentucky
Latest listings in Kentucky
No listings from Kentucky yet. Suppliers list for free and appear here as soon as they publish.
List your business for free →Equipment and supplies in Kentucky
Questions and answers
Is a Kentucky mobile food permit good statewide?
Lexington-Fayette County Health Department says permitted mobile units pay one yearly fee and may operate statewide, based on permit type. You still must notify the local health department where you will operate at least 48 hours in advance, and some counties charge a local registration: Fayette County lists $25 per location or date, or $100 for the calendar year.
What inspections does a new Kentucky food truck need?
According to Lexington-Fayette County Health Department, a licensed plumber applies for the plumbing permit and the truck's plumbing is inspected under the Kentucky State Plumbing Code. Trucks with cooking equipment such as fryers and grills are inspected by the Office of the Fire Marshal, and the health department inspects the unit. Louisville and Paducah also require local fire inspections or fire district approval.
Can I prepare food at home for a Kentucky food truck?
Not for food served from the truck. Louisville Metro says food for a statewide mobile food unit must be cooked or prepared in a permitted mobile unit or a permitted food service establishment, and that food served to the public, including by mobile vendors, must be prepared in a permitted commercial kitchen.
Does Kentucky have local sales taxes?
No. The Kentucky Department of Revenue says sales and use tax is 6 percent of gross receipts and there are no local sales taxes.
Sources
Facts checked against official sources on October 3, 2026. Rules change: confirm with the agency before you apply.
- www.lfchd.org/temporary-food-service/
- www.lfchd.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/English-Guidelines-for-Mobile-Food-Units-5-10-2021.pdf
- www.lfchd.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Requirements-for-Statewide-Mobile-Food-Unit-Plan-Review.pdf
- www.lfchd.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Annual-Statewide-Mobile-Application.pdf
- www.lfchd.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/EVENT-Statewide-Mobile-Application.pdf
- louisvilleky.gov/government/health-wellness/food-safety-program
- louisvilleky.gov/government/fire/food-truck-permit
- louisvilleky.gov/government/alcoholic-beverage-control/food-truck-mobile-vending-permit
- revenue.ky.gov/Business/Sales-Use-Tax/Pages/default.aspx
- www.owensboro.org/departments/food_truck_permit.php
- map-gis.paducahky.gov/files/Mobile-Food-Vehicle-application-fillable.pdf