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Interior of a compact food truck kitchen with two workers in red shirts and black aprons. The person in the foreground, wearing a backward black cap, cooks on a flat-top grill surrounded by utensils and ingredients. In the background, another worker prepares food at a counter. Stainless steel surfaces, shelves with supplies, and overhead ventilation create a busy, organized cooking environment.

Mobile Food Preparation Vehicles

Request a permit and inspection for your Mobile Food Preparation Vehicle by the Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office to ensure safety and compliance.

Apply for a Permit

Virginia Requirements for Mobile Food Preparation Vehicles

The Virginia State Fire Marshal's Office (SFMO) is dedicated to ensuring fire safety and compliance for all residents, workers and visitors in Virginia.

As part of this commitment, the SFMO oversees the inspection and permitting of mobile food preparation vehicles operating in the state.

  • Mobile food preparation vehicles equipped with appliances using open flames or producing smoke or grease-laden vapors must adhere to this section's requirements for an inspection to obtain a permit.
  • The enforcing agent for mobile food preparation vehicle permits is the appointed fire official for the Virginia locality where the vehicle is registered for personal property tax.
  • If no local fire official exists, the SFMO will serve as the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
  • An annual permit is $200 for inspection service performed by the SFMO.

Apply for a Permit

To obtain an annual permit, you will need to complete the fields below and submit payment. Once your payment has been processed, a Deputy State Fire Marshal will be able to conduct the inspection*.

Before completing this form, it's recommended you review the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code website.

* Please note in event of a failed inspection: All items reported will need to be resolved before another inspection can be performed.

Contact Us

For more details or assistance regarding Mobile Food Cart Preparation Vehicles Permits, please contact the State Fire Marshal Office at statefiremarshal@vdfp.virginia.gov or 804-371-0220.

Eligibility Check – Mobile Food Preparation Vehicle Permit

Complete the form below to determine if you meet the criteria to submit a permit application.

1. Do you pay personal property taxes outside of Virginia?