Food trucks (Mobile Food Dispensing Vehicles, MFDV) are licensed by DBPR statewide. Since 2020, Florida law (FS 509.102) preempts local governments from requiring separate food truck licenses, permits, or fees, and from banning food trucks jurisdiction-wide. Trucks that are not self-sufficient must use a licensed commissary.
Anyone operating a food truck, trailer, hot dog cart, or temporary commercial kitchen in Pinellas County.
Apply for the DBPR MFDV license
Use form DBPR HR-7036 (license only) or HR-7031 (license + plan review), or apply online. Plan review applies when the unit is newly built, remodeled, or reopening after 18+ months closed. Hot dog carts are an MFDV subtype limited to frankfurters/precooked sausages and always require a commissary.
www2.myfloridalicense.com/hr/forms/documents/application_pacLine up a commissary, or document self-sufficiency
A commissary (a DBPR-licensed food service establishment or FDACS-permitted food establishment) is required unless the vehicle is self-sufficient: three-compartment sink, separate handwash sink, adequate refrigeration/storage, full power provision, potable water tank, and liquid waste disposal per the Food Code. Self-sufficient vehicles provide a water/sewer servicing location address, which cannot be a private residence.
www2.myfloridalicense.com/hr/forms/documents/application_pacPay the license fee and pass inspection
MFDV license fee is $347 full year or $178.50 half year (includes the $10 HEP fee), plus the $50 application fee for new licenses. Pass the DBPR opening inspection before operating.
www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/food-Know the preemption and its limits
Under FS 509.102, regulation of MFDV licenses, registrations, permits, and fees is preempted to the state: cities and counties cannot require a separate food truck license or charge food truck license fees, and cannot ban food trucks from their entire jurisdiction. They can still apply zoning and operational rules (where/when you can vend, special event rules, right-of-way rules).
flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/509.102Mobile prepackaged-only sellers: FDACS instead
Mobile units selling only prepackaged or non-potentially-hazardous foods are permitted by FDACS rather than DBPR.
fdacs.gov/Business-Services/Food/Food-Establishments/Retail-| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MFDV annual license | $347.00 | $178.50 half year; includes $10 HEP fee |
| Application fee (new license) | $50.00 |
Fee amounts change, the linked official schedule always controls.
Cities can still control where and when trucks operate through zoning and event rules, so check each city's vending rules for your route even though no city license or fee can be required.