Starting a food truck in Boston presents a unique opportunity to tap into this amazing city's vibrant food scene and diverse customer base. With its bustling neighborhoods and growing demand for street food, Boston is an ideal place to introduce creative and exciting culinary concepts.
Obtaining the right permits ensures a smooth and successful launch, allowing your food truck to thrive in one of the most dynamic food destinations in the country!
The process is outlined below. Please keep in mind that some of these processes can be conducted simultaneously, so submitting documentation that requires processing or approval as soon as you can will ensure that you can get the ball rolling!
The timeframe will depend greatly on whether you are building your truck from scratch or using an existing truck. Your food truck will require a plan review with the City.
Contact Thomas McAdams (tel: 617-961-3293) for more information.
Create Business Plan
📄 What You Need
- Your sample menu
- What makes your truck unique?
- "Rethink your drink"
- Your operation plan
- Partnering with a licensed kitchen
- Community engagement
- Sustainability
☎️ Contact
Small Business Department617-635-0355
1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02201
smallbiz@boston.gov
Apply for Hawker and Peddler License
📄 What You Need
- Hawker and Peddler license form for each worker handling money on your truck
- Certificate of Character
💰 Cost: $112 for each worker
⏰ Time: 1-2 weeks
☎️ Contact
Small Business Department617-635-0355
1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02201
smallbiz@boston.gov
Get Business Certificate
📄 What You Need
- Business name/address
- Copy of lease agreement
- Business certificate with notarized signature
- Health and fire permits
- Hawkers license and commissary kitchen Letter
- Liability Insurance Cert
💰 Cost: $65-100
⏰ Time: 1 week
Get Fire Permit
📄 What You Need
- An appointment with fire prevention office
- Food truck
- Food truck application
- (Possibly) Open burning and cooking operations permit application
💰 Cost: $150
⏰ Time: 1 day
Get Health Permit
📄 What You Need
- Sample menu
- Commissary kitchen letter
- Proof of certified food manager
- Fire permit
💰 Cost: annual $100
⏰ Time: 1 week
☎️ Contact
Inspectional Services Department617-635-5326
1010 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02218
Procure Insurance
📄 What You Need
- Certificate of liability insurance
- Contact insurance provider
- Buy insurance
- Ask for certificate of liability from insurance provider
☎️ Contact
Small Business Department617-635-0355
1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02201
smallbiz@boston.gov
Submit Food Truck Permit Application
📄 What You Need
- Business certificate
- Health permit
- Fire/Open cooking permit
- Hawkers/Paddlers licenses
- Commissary kitchen letter
- Premise permit
💰 Cost: $500
⏰ Time: 1 week
☎️ Contact
Small Business Department617-635-0355
1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02201
smallbiz@boston.gov
Choose Location
📄 If public:
- Wait to be assigned to an available site
- Apply to the next public site lottery
💰 Cost: $50-750 per month
📄 If private:
- Start vending at your designated spot
☎️ Contact
Small Business Department617-635-0355
1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02201
smallbiz@boston.gov
Feeling Stuck?
Get in touch! ☎️
Small Business Department
617-635-0355
1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02201
smallbiz@boston.gov