What permits do you need to open a food truck in Atlanta?

Private Property Vending Permit (Food)

Applies to a food truck or other vendor operating on private property, such as a private parking lot. City Code Sec. 30-1481(a) bars vending on private property without an initial vending permit, and Sec. 30-1471 makes mobile food units on private property comply with this article. Fees are from Sec. 30-1483(b) ('A nonrefundable application fee of $50.00') and Sec. 30-1486 (food permit $75.00, merchandise $75.00, combination $125.00, assistant vendors $15.00, replacement photo ID $30.00; renewal fees equal new-permit fees). The Atlanta Police Department's private-property vending page lists the same figures plus 'Fingerprint: $20.00'. The application is reviewed by the Office of Buildings for zoning and needs the property owner's permission letter (Secs. 30-1483, 30-1484). The City's vending program page says a Special Administrative Permit may be required from the Office of Zoning, and county health approval is required before applying.

Public Right-of-Way Food Truck Vendor Permit

Applies to a food truck vending in the City's designated food truck areas on public streets. City Code Sec. 30-1426(a): 'No public property vending shall occur without a permit'. Applications are filed with the Office of Revenue (Sec. 30-1428), and food truck applicants do not take part in the cart lottery. Sec. 30-1430(b) (Ord. 2021-06): 'The annual permit fee for all valid vendor permits shall be $75.00.' Sec. 30-1438(f) (Ord. 2021-18, 4-28-21): 'The annual electronic reservation fee for a public right of way food truck vendor shall be $350.00', and food trucks must reserve through that system to operate in a designated area. The City's vending program page says prepared-food vendors need Fulton or DeKalb County health approval first.

Certified Food Safety Manager

No state fee: under rule 511-6-1-.03 the certificate comes from an accredited programme rather than from the state, and the department links straight out to the accreditation directory. At least one employee with supervisory and management authority must hold it, designated to a single establishment. Three exemptions sit in the rule: a mobile unit that does not process food, an establishment serving only food that needs no temperature control and limited preparation, and a temporary establishment. A sixty-day grace period runs from a new permit, a change of ownership or the loss of your certified manager, and the original certificate must be posted in public view. The food service rules (chapter 511-6-1) set no food handler card requirement for ordinary staff — the words do not appear in them; the model instead is that the person in charge demonstrates knowledge to the inspector.

Shared with other businesses in Atlanta

• Food Service Permit — Georgia Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Section, $240–$1,050 a year, set by the county board of health — no state fee, floor or ceiling, the permit is valid until suspended or revoked, but counties bill an annual fee. Also required for restaurants and coffee shops; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.