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

Seasonal Temporary Food Permit (Multiple Events)

Code §11.5-28(C)(3)(a) provides a seasonal temporary food permit covering multiple temporary events within Kane County, expiring December 31 each year. A for-profit Category II vendor pays $513 and must have a certified food protection manager working at all times; a Category III for-profit vendor pays $338. Charitable nonprofits pay $256 (Category II) or $169 (Category III), and a charitable nonprofit charging nothing for any service pays $0. Figures are as published on the Kane County Health Department's Environmental Health Permits and Fees page under the heading "FEES EFFECTIVE 1/1/2026 – 12/31/2026" (the 2026 schedule, in effect through December 31, 2026); the page states that all fees are non-refundable and that an annual adjustment equal to the Chicago-area Consumer Price Index increase applies to each fee, never below the schedule effective January 1, 2025. The permit is applied for on the Health Department's 2026 Seasonal Food Handling Permit Application.

Mobile Vendor Permit (Food Truck, Trailer, Pushcart or Non-Mobile Unit)

Code §11.5-28(C)(3) states that mobile food units, non-mobile food units and pushcarts within Kane County are charged a fee according to the current environmental health fee schedule and that their permits expire December 31 each year. The fees page lists Category II mobile vendors at $590, with a certified food protection manager required to be working at all times, and Category III at $530, as published on the Kane County Health Department's Environmental Health Permits and Fees page under the heading "FEES EFFECTIVE 1/1/2026 – 12/31/2026" (the 2026 schedule, in effect through December 31, 2026); the page states that all fees are non-refundable and that an annual adjustment equal to the Chicago-area Consumer Price Index increase applies to each fee, never below the schedule effective January 1, 2025. The Health Department's 2026 Application for Mobile Vending Unit (revised 10/25) gives the same annual amounts, seasonal amounts of $528 for Category II and $355 for Category III for units operating under six months, and half fees for new annual units after July 1. The fees page also links a Commissary Agreement Letter and the county's food truck, non-mobile unit and pushcart requirements.

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 Kane County Il

• Food Program Follow-Up, Duplicate Permit and Variance Fees — Kane County Health Department, Environmental Health, $0–$142 per occurrence: multiple follow-up and pre-opening inspections $142; non-compliance closing $100 per staff hour; duplicate permit $32; general variance request $0; special processes variance request $100, per occurrence. Also required for restaurants, coffee shops, retail stores and childcare centres; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.
• Temporary Food Service Permit (Each Establishment per Event per Booth) — Kane County Health Department, Environmental Health, $0–$181 per establishment per event per booth: for-profit $181; fundraising $85; sampling only $32; free to the public with potentially hazardous foods $49; free to the public with non-potentially hazardous foods $0; additional late-application fee $67, one event, not more than 14 consecutive days (Code §11.5-28(B)). Also required for restaurants and coffee shops; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.
• Shared Kitchen Food Permit (Owner and User) — Kane County Health Department, Environmental Health, $67–$668 per permit: Shared Kitchen Owner $668; Category I-2 Shared Kitchen User $299; Category II Shared Kitchen User $100; Category III Shared Kitchen User $67 (certified food protection manager required at all times for Category I-2 and II users), calendar year; food establishment permits expire December 31 (Code §11.5-28(B)). Also required for restaurants; what it involves is set out on the restaurants page.
• Temporary Structures and Uses Permit (Tents, Stages, Trailers) — Kane County Development & Community Services, Building & Zoning Division, $120–$1,200 per structure: mobile modular offices and trailers $300; tents $120; structures under roof but not enclosed $120; stages, platforms and band shells $600; bleachers and elevated spectator areas $600; pedestrian walkways $1,200; events with multiple structures may be reduced up to 50% on written request; plan review included; extra inspections $120, per structure. Also required for restaurants and retail stores; 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.