To get a food truck permit in Boston, you need to gather several documents and permits first. There are three ways to apply: online, by email, or in person. The annual application fee is $500.

Here's a summary of the steps:

• Before you apply:
  • You need permits from Inspectional Services and the Fire Department.
  • You also need a Hawker and Peddler License, a Business Certificate, and a Certificate of Liability Insurance.
  • You will need a business plan and a written agreement from your commissary. A commissary is a licensed place where you prepare and store your food, like a community kitchen or a restaurant kitchen.
  • To get your health and fire permits, you should first schedule a review of your building plans with Inspectional Services by calling Tom McAdams at (617) 961-3293.
  • For the review, bring your equipment plans, a food truck plan review form, a completed health permit application, and a sample menu. There is a $100 annual health permit fee.
  • Once your truck is built, schedule a fire inspection by calling the Fire Department at (617) 343-3447. They do inspections Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 11 am.
  • For the fire inspection, bring your food truck to Fire Prevention at 1010 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02218. The fee for a fire permit inspection is $150.
  • For the health inspection, bring your food truck to Inspectional Services Department at 1010 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02218. You will need your sample menu, proof of commissary, proof that someone on your truck is a Certified Food Manager, your Use of Premises Permit (if selling on private land), your Allergen certification, ServSafe certificate, completed health permit application, and your Food Truck Permit Application.
• Complete your application:
  • Fill out the food truck application.
  • The annual application fee is $500. Make your check payable to the City of Boston.
• Submit your application:
  • Online: You can register and complete an application online using the Food truck online application.
  • By email: Email your application and documents to foodtrucks@boston.gov. You will still need to mail or bring your check to the Office of Small Business Food Truck Coordinator at 43 Hawkins Street, Boston, MA 02114.
  • In person: Bring your application, documents, and payment to the Office of Small Business Food Truck Coordinator at 43 Hawkins Street, Boston, MA 02114. Their office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 am - 5 pm.
• Find a location:
  • Once you submit your application, you can start looking for a location.
  • There are public locations, which you can apply for through a lottery system, and private locations, which require permission from the property owner.
• Permit approval:
  • It takes about two weeks to approve your permit.
  • You can pick up your permit at Public Works: 1 City Hall Square, Room 714, Boston City Hall, Boston, MA 02201. Their office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 am - 5 pm.
  • When your permit is approved, you will be informed about the next public site lottery.

For more information, you can contact Weldon Bodrick at weldon.bodrick@boston.gov or (617) 635-3534.