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

Temporary Alcoholic Beverage Permit (Columbia County)

The county's Additional Licenses & Permits page states that "A temporary alcoholic beverage permit must be issued for any function at which alcoholic beverages are sold to the guest directly (cash bar or tickets) or indirectly (alcoholic beverage provided with the cost of admission or membership)." An officer of the business with authority to bind it, or the individuals putting on the function, must apply. The page states that the State of Georgia requires all temporary alcoholic beverage permit applications to be submitted through its website, choosing Columbia County as the jurisdiction, and that the completed application must be received at least 21 days before the date of the function. A restaurant, coffee shop or food truck selling alcohol at such a function needs this permit.

Health Department Food Service and Public Swimming Pool Permits

The county's Inspections & Reviews page states that all commercial occupational tax applications are reviewed by the Health Department to determine whether the business is on county water and sewer and whether Health Department permitting will be required. It states that "Most food service businesses will require a permit from the Health Department or Georgia Department of Agriculture" and that "Public Swimming Pools: require a permit from the Health Department", and asks owners to contact the Health Department for plan review and requirements. A fitness studio needs the pool permit only as a scope consequence: a studio without a public pool is outside it. The Columbia County Health Department is part of the East Central Health District of the Georgia Department of Public Health, at 1930 William Few Parkway, Grovetown, 706-868-3330.

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 Columbia County

• Commercial Hood Fire Suppression Plan Review and Permit — Columbia County Fire Marshal, $100 per commercial hood suppression plan review and permit, as published in the Development Services fee schedule effective 07/08/2026 and on the Fire Marshal's page, one-time, per hood installation. Also required for restaurants and coffee shops; what it involves is set out on the restaurants page.
• Temporary Use Authorization — Columbia County Planning Services, $35 per authorization, as published in the Planning Services Fee Schedule linked from the county's Fees & Deadlines page, per authorization. Also required for retail stores; what it involves is set out on the retail stores page.
• 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.