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

Temporary Food Service Permit

A vendor serving food to the public at an event on a temporary basis needs a temporary food service permit. Sec. 18-102 sets it at $268 for Risk Category 1T, $165 for 2T and $82 for 3T, charged per booth for up to 14 days, and a single operator with several stands at one event pays per booth, as in effect from December 1, 2025 (the editor's notes to the County Code and the Health Department's fee page both state that date); County Code Sec. 18-111 raises these fees by the Illinois Department of Revenue CPI every December 1, so the schedule adjusts on December 1, 2026, and the Board of Health's draft minutes of September 10, 2026 record that its FY2027 budget assumes EHS fees increased by CPI. A 25% penalty applies when the permit is not obtained at least three business days before the event start (Sec. 18-109). The Health Department's permit types page says the permit is valid for up to 14 dates at the same location, only two permits can be issued in a year for up to 28 dates, and tasting or sampling also requires a temporary permit. Fee-exempt nonprofits must still obtain the permit (Sec. 18-107).

Annual Mobile Food Vendor Permit

A food truck, trailer or push cart operating in DuPage County needs an annual mobile vendor permit from the Health Department. Sec. 18-102 sets the fee at $547 for Risk Category 1M, $444 for 2M and $205 for 3M, as in effect from December 1, 2025 (the editor's notes to the County Code and the Health Department's fee page both state that date); County Code Sec. 18-111 raises these fees by the Illinois Department of Revenue CPI every December 1, so the schedule adjusts on December 1, 2026, and the Board of Health's draft minutes of September 10, 2026 record that its FY2027 budget assumes EHS fees increased by CPI. A 25% penalty applies if the annual fee is unpaid by the expiration date. The Health Department's mobile vendor page says it reviews the menu, food handling and plan information, then schedules an inspection of the truck or trailer, and issues the permit after the unit passes; the operator also submits a commissary agreement and routes or proposed locations. The page tells mobile vendors to check with local and city authorities for their regulations before operating. The separate mobile vendor plan review fee for new applicants is a separate record.

Mobile Vendor Plan Review

A new mobile food vendor submits a Mobile Vendor Plan Review application with drawings or photos of the truck, trailer or cart, and the Health Department's mobile vendor page lists a "Mobile Vendor Plan Review Fee (which is different from the annual mobile vending permit fee)". The fee is $273, as stated on the Health Department's current Environmental Health fee page, which gives its fees as effective December 1, 2025; this item is not itemized in County Code Secs. 18-102 to 18-106, and the fee page states that its fees are adjusted annually by CPI, with the next adjustment due December 1, 2026. The page allows up to 20 business days for the plan review once all documents and fees are received. The annual mobile vendor permit is charged separately after the unit passes inspection.

Multi-Location Temporary Food Permit

The Health Department's permit types page describes the Multi-Location Temporary Food Permit as one that "allows a Temporary Food Service vendor to operate at multiple sites and dates with one permit". Its fee is $1,195 for high risk, $684 for medium risk and $376 for low risk, non-refundable, with late fees of $298.75, $171.00 and $94.00, as stated on the Health Department's current Environmental Health fee page, which gives its fees as effective December 1, 2025; this item is not itemized in County Code Secs. 18-102 to 18-106, and the fee page states that its fees are adjusted annually by CPI, with the next adjustment due December 1, 2026. A vendor working a single event at one location uses the ordinary temporary food service permit instead.

Certified Food Protection Manager

No state fee, because the state does not run the certification — an accredited body does, and its course and exam fees are what you actually pay. Illinois food establishments must be under the supervision of a certified manager, which is a higher bar than food handler training: it needs an accredited course and a passed exam, and it lasts five years rather than three. Chicago runs its own parallel certification, so an operator inside the city must check city rules and not only state ones. The older name, food service sanitation manager certificate, still appears on some guidance.

Shared with other businesses in Dupage County

• Special Event, Seasonal Sales and Temporary Structure (Operations) Permits — DuPage County Building & Zoning Department, $100–$500 special event Class A $100, Class B $150, Class C $200, Class D (multi-day) $300; seasonal sales permit $100; operations permit for a non-residential temporary structure (up to 180 days) Class B $350, Class C $500 per structure, plus $100 per unit when adding electric, per event; an operations permit is valid for up to 180 days. Also required for restaurants, retail stores and coffee shops; what it involves is set out on the retail stores page.
• Retail Food Establishment Permit — Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Food, Drugs and Dairies, No state fee — the permit and its price are set by the local health department, set by the local health department. Also required for restaurants and coffee shops; what it involves is set out on the restaurants page.
• Food Handler Training — Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Food, Drugs and Dairies, No fee, 3 years. Also required for restaurants and coffee shops; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.