Food trucks in Ohio
Ohio food trucks are licensed by the local health department, not by a state agency. The Ohio Department of Health gives local health departments technical help on the Ohio Uniform Food Safety Code and trains their staff on mobile food service inspections. Cleveland's health department says you apply to the board of health where your business headquarters is located, and that a mobile unit licensed in Ohio is recognized by the other licensors in the state. Ohio Fire Code section 320 adds fire safety rules for every mobile food unit in the state, and cities such as Columbus and Toledo require their own vending license or registration on top of that.
Read the full guide: how to get a food truck permit in Ohio →
Who issues food truck permits in Ohio
Licensed by county or city health departments
Local health districts apply the rules. Cleveland requires pushcarts to work out of a licensed commissary and to begin and end each working day there, under a commissary agreement that the pushcart owner and the commissary owner sign every year. Summit County Public Health includes a commissary agreement form with its mobile licensing documents. Check with the health district that licenses your unit. Source ↗
As listed by the Ohio Department of Taxation on 2026-10-03, the state sales tax rate is 5.75 percent and counties and transit authorities can add up to 3 percent, for a combined rate of no more than 8.75 percent. City of Columbus guidance says a mobile food vendor that moves between locations usually needs a transient vendor's license (Form ST 1T) from the Department of Taxation, which is valid statewide. A regular vendor's license from the county auditor covers a fixed place of business. The Department recommends applying online through OH|TAX eServices. Source ↗
Ohio Fire Code section 320 applies to all mobile food units in Ohio. It took effect on December 15, 2017 and was amended on January 5, 2019. Every unit needs one 5-pound ABC fire extinguisher, except open-air hand carts with no fossil-fuel equipment. Units with cooking equipment that uses vegetable or animal oils and fats also need a Class K extinguisher. Units also need a listed carbon monoxide detector, unless they have no fossil-fuel equipment and produce no CO. While parked and operating, a unit with a generator or a fuel source other than the vehicle tank must be at least 3 feet from other mobile food units and 10 feet from building entrances, exits and combustible materials. Propane tanks mounted on the rear of a vehicle must be 30 inches above the ground. Columbus and Toledo require a fire inspection after a propane pressure leak test, and Toledo requires the inspection every year. Source ↗
Food truck cities in Ohio
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Questions and answers
Who issues a food truck license in Ohio?
Your local health department does. The Ohio Department of Health says local health departments license and inspect food service operations in their jurisdiction. The Ohio Department of Agriculture says food trucks generally need a license from the local health department.
Do I need a separate health license in every Ohio city?
Usually not. Cleveland's health department says you apply to the board of health where your business headquarters is located, and a mobile unit licensed in Ohio is recognized by the other licensors in the state. Cities can still require their own vending license or registration, as Columbus and Toledo do.
What fire safety equipment does an Ohio food truck need?
Under Ohio Fire Code section 320, every mobile food unit needs a 5-pound ABC fire extinguisher. Open-air hand carts with no fossil-fuel equipment are exempt. You also need a Class K extinguisher if you cook with vegetable or animal oils and fats, and a listed carbon monoxide detector unless the unit has no fossil-fuel equipment and produces no CO.
Which vendor's license does a food truck need for sales tax?
City of Columbus guidance says a vendor that moves between locations usually needs a transient vendor's license from the Ohio Department of Taxation, which is valid statewide. A regular vendor's license from the county auditor is for a fixed place of business. Check with the Department of Taxation for your setup.
Sources
Facts checked against official sources on October 3, 2026. Rules change: confirm with the agency before you apply.
- odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/food-safety-program
- agri.ohio.gov/divisions/food-safety/resources/starting-a-food-business
- com.ohio.gov/divisions-and-programs/state-fire-marshal/code-enforcement/technical-bulletins-and-advisory-documents/mobile-food-units
- tax.ohio.gov/business/sales-and-use-tax
- tax.ohio.gov/home/forms/landing-page-area/st1t
- www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/4/bzs/business-licenses/mobile-food-vending-transient-vendor-license-information.pdf
- www.columbus.gov/Services/Food-Protection-Program
- www.columbus.gov/Services/Public-Safety/Fire/Inspections/CFD-Mobile-Food-Vendors-Food-Trucks-Trailers-Push-Carts/MFV-Operating-in-the-City-of-Columbus
- www.clevelandohio.gov/city-hall/departments/public-health/programs-services/food-safety/mobile-food-service
- toledo.oh.gov/business/mobile-food
- www.scph.org/food-safety/licensing
- www.scph.org/sites/default/files/editor/EH/FOOD/Mobile%20Food%20Operation%20Packet%20%283.6.25%29.pdf
- www.phdmc.org/mobile-food-service-operations-retail-food-establishments-plan-review-application
- www.daytonohio.gov/1308/Food-Truck-Licensing-Guidance