Food trucks in Maine
Maine licenses food trucks at the state level: the Maine CDC Health Inspection Program issues an Eating Place - Mobile license for each unit, renewed every year. Portland, South Portland and Lewiston have their own municipal food inspectors, and a truck based in one of them that operates only in that city can hold a municipal mobile license that is valid only inside that city. Towns can add their own local licenses and fees.
Who issues food truck permits in Maine
State and local health departments
A truck that cannot handle all food prep and dishwashing on board must use the owner's licensed commercial kitchen or get a separate Eating Place - Mobile Base Kitchen license. Self-sufficient units do not need one. A home kitchen is not accepted, even one licensed by the Department of Agriculture. Source ↗
Maine Revenue Services lists the prepared food rate as 8% (general sales 5.5%). Its Instructional Bulletin No. 27 says sales of food and drink by street vendors, including food carts, wagons and trucks, are taxable at the prepared food rate. Source ↗
The Office of State Fire Marshal's food service provisions require food preparation facilities to be protected under NFPA 96 (exhaust hoods and automatic fire suppression) and allow listed LP-gas food service appliances used in line with NFPA 58. The page covers food service in general, not trucks specifically, so check with the local fire department. The Health Inspection Program also points operators to the Fire Marshal's Office. Source ↗
Food truck cities in Maine
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Questions and answers
Do I need a state license to run a food truck in Maine?
Yes. Every mobile unit needs a Maine CDC Health Inspection Program license, and each unit is licensed separately. Apply at least 30 days before opening. After a plan review and a pre-operational inspection you may start operating, and the license is renewed annually.
Does a Maine food truck need a commissary?
Only if the unit is not self-sufficient. Then food prep and dishwashing it cannot do on board must happen in your own licensed commercial kitchen or in a kitchen licensed as an Eating Place - Mobile Base Kitchen. A home kitchen is not allowed.
Can I sell at a few events from a tent instead of a truck?
A Temporary eating place license covers one community event for up to 14 consecutive days, and no more than 3 temporary licenses are granted per operator per year. For more events you need a Mobile or Mobile Stick Built license.
What sales tax do Maine food trucks charge?
Maine Revenue Services treats food and drink sold by street vendors, including trucks, carts and wagons, as prepared food. The prepared food rate is 8%.
Sources
Facts checked against official sources on October 3, 2026. Rules change: confirm with the agency before you apply.
- www.maine.gov/revenue/taxes/sales-use-service-provider-tax/rates-due-dates
- www.maine.gov/revenue/sites/maine.gov.revenue/files/inline-files/IB27SalesPreparedFood20171101.pdf
- www.maine.gov/dps/fmo/inspections-plans-review/food-service-operations
- www.portlandmaine.gov/food-service-inspections
- www.lewistonmaine.gov/1316/Food-Trucks-in-Lewiston
- www.southportland.gov/180/Business-License-Applications
- www.southportland.gov/DocumentCenter/View/199/Mobile-Vending-Rules-and-Regulations-PDF