Understand the Requirements for New Jersey Food Trucks
There are several requirements you need to meet before you can apply for food truck licenses and permits in New Jersey:
- Business classification: Decide how to structure your business (sole proprietorship, limited liability company (LLC), partnership, joint venture, etc.). If you form an LLC, a corporation (Inc.), or a professional corporation (PC), you must register it with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES).
- Employer identification number (EIN): If you have employees, more than one business owner, or have structured your business as a corporation, register your business with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to get your EIN. The IRS uses this number for tax reporting purposes.
- Business name: Give your food truck a name that clearly represents the type of food you make and is easy for customers to remember. Sole proprietorships and partnerships must register their name with their county clerk’s office, while all other entities register with DORES.
- New Jersey tax registration: All businesses in New Jersey must register with DORES for tax reporting, even if they have an EIN.
- Certificate of Insurance (COI): Issued when you purchase insurance, this document provides details about your coverage. Commercial kitchen owners will ask to see this before they let you rent space, as will food festival and venue managers.
- Business plan: A detailed business plan lays the foundation for your food truck operations, and is necessary when applying for loans or grants.
Pro Tip: Have questions about taxes? The New Jersey Treasury Department offers taxpayer workshops to help entrepreneurs navigate the ins and outs of state business taxes.
Obtain New Jersey Food Truck Permits and Licenses
Once you meet the requirements for setting up your New Jersey food truck, it’s time to acquire the necessary licenses and permits.
The exact types of permits you need in Newark may differ from those in Newport, so check with your city or county government to ensure you meet local licensing requirements.
Mobile Food Facility Permit
- Some cities require a special permit/license for mobile food vendors, including food trucks, allowing them to operate legally within that area
- Cost: $25–$400, depending on location
- Where to get it: Your local government
Sales and Use Tax Permit
- Lets you collect and remit sales tax on the food you sell
- Cost: $0
- Where to get it: New Jersey Division of Taxation
Public Health Permit
- Issued once your food truck passes a health inspection
- Cost: $50–$300 per year, depending on location
- Where to get it: Your local health department via the New Jersey Department of Health’s directory
Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) Certificate
- As mandated by New Jersey law; all food establishments must have one CFPM on-site at all times during hours of operation
- Cost: $121
- Where to get it: 360 Training or other accredited program
Food Handler Permit
- Required by some cities and counties for anyone who prepares, handles, or cooks food
- Cost: $10
- Where to get it: 360 Training
Fire Safety Permit
- Issued once your food truck has passed a fire safety inspection from your local Fire Marshal
- Cost: $50–$125 per year, depending on location
- Where to get it: Your local fire department
Zoning and Parking Permits
- Required by each city and county to regulate where, when, and how food trucks can do business
- Cost: $30–$500, depending on location and length of time
- Where to get it: Your local government
Mercantile License
- Required by many cities; allows you to do business within city limits legally
- Cost: $50–$200 per year, depending on location
- Where to get it: Your local government or county clerk
Follow Laws for Food Trucks in New Jersey
New Jersey regulates food trucks to ensure public safety. Violating these laws, whether accidental or not, can result in fines, suspensions, or permanent closures, so it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with them before you start selling.
Here are a few New Jersey food truck laws to be aware of:
- Workers compensation laws: All workers in New Jersey are protected by laws designed to compensate them and/or their dependents financially if they get injured or die on the job. If you have employees working in your food truck, you are legally required to carry workers compensation insurance in case one of your workers suffers a work-related injury.
- Commissary agreement: Some city health departments require food trucks to use a commercial kitchen as their base of operations for preparing and storing food.
- Health inspection: All food trucks are subject to health inspections, which often occur annually. Use the New Jersey Department of Health’s checklist to prepare your truck before an inspection and ensure a passing grade.
- Wage and hour compliance: The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development sets requirements for all employers regarding wages, sick leave, and working hours.
Get New Jersey Food Truck Insurance
Like acquiring licenses and following laws, insurance coverage is essential to running a food truck in New Jersey.
If an accident happens, like a customer slipping on grease outside your food truck or getting food poisoning, insurance is there to shield you from paying out of pocket. It’s also necessary if you need to enter a commissary agreement or want your truck to participate in food festivals.
New Jersey food business insurance from Food Liability Insurance Program (FLIP) offers essential coverage from common claims at an affordable price. Since the average food truck claim costs $6,271, investing in insurance could save you thousands in unexpected expenses.
Learn the Cost of Running a Food Truck in New Jersey
According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the average food truck entrepreneur spends over $28,000 annually on compliance with legal requirements and permitting/licensing fees.
In addition to these costs, other standard operating expenses to account for in your budget include:
- Food truck
- New: $50,000–$150,000
- Used: $20,000–$80,000
- Cooking equipment
- Grill/griddle: $2,000–$5,000
- Deep fryer: $1,500–$4,000
- Oven: $2,000–$6,000
- Refrigeration
- Refrigerator/freezer: $1,500–$5,000
- Prep table: $1,000–$3,000
- Safety and sanitation
- Commercial sink: $1,000–$2,500
- Handwashing sink: $500–$1,500
- Fire suppression system: $2,000–$10,000
- Technology
- Point of Sale (POS) system: $500–$2,500
- Inventory management software: $20–$200 per month
Pro Tip: Ensure a profitable food truck with a proven pricing strategy that accounts for your expenses and protects your bottom line!
Sell at Food Truck Festivals in New Jersey
One massive perk of running a food truck is that you aren’t bound to one specific location. Take advantage of this by participating in New Jersey food truck events!
Festivals and rallies are the perfect place to reach new customers and forge connections with other entrepreneurs in your industry. As long as you follow the permitting and zoning laws wherever your truck takes you, you can enjoy increased profits and exposure.
Here are a few popular New Jersey food truck festivals to check out:
Pro Tip: For more food truck-friendly events in your area, check out our food festival directory!
FAQs About Starting a Food Truck Business in New Jersey
What Are the Fire Safety Requirements for Food Trucks in New Jersey?
Check your local fire department’s requirements as they can differ between cities; expect to need the following for your food truck:
- Automatic fire suppression system (for all food trucks that use ovens, grills, and fryers)
- Class ABC fire extinguisher
- Class K fire extinguisher (for food trucks with cooking equipment that uses oil or grease)
- Ventilation hood system
- Grease filters
- Fire alarm system (may be required for large food trucks)
- Proper propane tank storage
- Fire safety training for all employees
Are There Specific Zoning Regulations for Food Trucks in New Jersey?
Yes, each city in New Jersey has its own zoning regulations that regulate how food trucks operate. These regulations typically include:
- Prohibiting food truck operations in residential areas and restricting them to commercial, entertainment, or industrial areas
- Restricted parking near schools, businesses, hospitals, and other buildings
- Limits on the amount of time you can park your food truck in one area
- Designated hours of operation
- Noise ordinances/restrictions
Is There a New Jersey Food Truck Association I Can Join?
Yes — the New Jersey Food Truck Association is made up of food truck operators and offers valuable networking opportunities. In addition to connecting food trucks with individuals and businesses looking to hire them for events, the NJFTA also assists with food truck events statewide.
Alex Hastings
Seattle-based copywriter and (WA) licensed insurance agent Alex Hastings leverages her experience as a lover of fast-casual food, baked goods, and iced oat milk lattes. She holds a B.A. in Creative Writing from Western Washington University. Before working at Veracity, she was a retail copywriter at Zulily and an English language teacher in South Korea. Alex is fully trained on FLIP insurance coverages and writes content that connects food and beverage business owners with the policies they need.
Seattle-based copywriter and (WA) licensed insurance agent Alex Hastings leverages her experience as a lover of fast-casual food, baked goods, and iced oat milk lattes. She holds a B.A. in Creative Writing from Western Washington University. Before working at Veracity, she was a retail copywriter at Zulily and an English language teacher in South Korea. Alex is fully trained on FLIP insurance coverages and writes content that connects food and beverage business owners with the policies they need.
Kyle Jude
Kyle Jude is the Program Manager for Food Liability Insurance Program (FLIP). As a dedicated program manager with 10+ years of experience in the insurance industry, Kyle offers insight into different coverages for food and beverage business professionals who are looking to navigate business liability insurance.
Kyle Jude is the Program Manager for Food Liability Insurance Program (FLIP). As a dedicated program manager with 10+ years of experience in the insurance industry, Kyle offers insight into different coverages for food and beverage business professionals who are looking to navigate business liability insurance.
