Food trucks in Virginia
In Virginia, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) permits mobile food units through its local health departments and issues the permit as a sticker that must be displayed on the unit. Some cities and counties add their own ordinances, including commissary, certified food manager and food handler card rules. Fire safety for mobile food preparation vehicles falls under the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code.
Who issues food truck permits in Virginia
Licensed by the state
VDH says some localities have ordinances that require a commissary for all mobile food units. Where there is no ordinance, a commissary is required when the operator cannot show the unit is a fully self-contained operation. Source ↗
Businesses that meet the definition of a dealer register to collect sales tax and receive a Sales Tax Certificate of Registration (Form ST-4), which must be displayed at the registered location. Rates depend on the locality where the sale is made, and Virginia Tax publishes rates and locality codes for each city and county. Starting with the April 2025 filing period, all sales tax filers use Form ST-1, and sales tax must be filed and paid electronically. Source ↗
VDH notes that the Department of Housing and Community Development adopted fire safety requirements for mobile food establishments in 2018. VDH's handout on the Statewide Fire Prevention Code lists a permit for vehicles with appliances that produce smoke or grease-laden vapors, automatic fire extinguishing systems for cooking equipment, a 200-pound aggregate limit on LP-gas, a listed LP-gas alarm and annual inspection of LP-gas containers and piping. Check with the local fire marshal where you operate. Source ↗
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Questions and answers
Who issues food truck permits in Virginia?
The Virginia Department of Health, through the local health department for your area. VDH issues the mobile food unit permit as a sticker that must be prominently displayed on the unit. In Fairfax County, the Fairfax County Health Department issues the permit.
What does a Virginia mobile food unit permit cost?
VDH lists a $40 plan review fee and a $40 permit application fee, paid to the local health department, on its Applying for a Food Permit page (last updated April 21, 2026). Submit the permit application at least 30 days before opening. Some localities list different or extra fees: Fairfax County lists a $40 plan review fee per vehicle or trailer and an $80 application fee, and Norfolk adds a $30 local decal tracking fee.
Do I need a commissary in Virginia?
It depends on the locality. VDH says some localities require a commissary for all mobile food units by ordinance. Elsewhere you need one if you cannot show the unit is fully self-contained. Norfolk, for example, requires mobile units to operate daily from an approved commissary.
Do Virginia food trucks need a fire permit or inspection?
Mobile food preparation vehicles fall under the Statewide Fire Prevention Code, and VDH's handout says a permit is required for vehicles with appliances that produce smoke or grease-laden vapors. Norfolk requires a fire inspection and decal from its Fire Marshal's Office. Check with the local fire marshal where you operate.
Sources
Facts checked against official sources on October 3, 2026. Rules change: confirm with the agency before you apply.
- web.archive.org/web/20260818192050/https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/food-safety-in-virginia/
- web.archive.org/web/20260313110254/https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/mobile-food-units/
- web.archive.org/web/20260511065637/https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/food-safety-in-virginia/foodapplication/
- web.archive.org/web/20260411113446/https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/food-safety-in-virginia/food-guidance-documents/
- web.archive.org/web/20250324113657/https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/20/2019/03/Mobile-food-preparation-vehicle-handout.pdf
- web.archive.org/web/20260807070228/https://www.tax.virginia.gov/retail-sales-and-use-tax
- web.archive.org/web/20260519072649/https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/richmond-city/food-safety/
- web.archive.org/web/20260611135550/https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/norfolk/permits/
- www.norfolk.gov/2259/Food-Truck-Vendor-Program
- www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/permits/mobile-food-unit