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

Annual, Seasonal and Single-Event Temporary Food Permits (Lake County Health Department)

As set in Ord. 1336A-3, the Lake County health fee ordinance amendment signed October 14, 2025 and printed in the Lake County Council's minutes of that meeting, the Annual Temporary Permit costs $300, the Seasonal Temporary Permit $150 per season and a single-event Temporary Permit $20 per day with a maximum of $100 per event. The Lake County Health Department's notice "Changes to Temporary, Seasonal, and Mobile Food Service Permits – Effective January 1, 2026" states that seasonal, mobile and temporary food service vendors operating out of an approved commissary no longer need a permit for each event: the Annual Temporary Permit allows operation "at locations throughout Lake County (except locations regulated by the East Chicago and Gary Health Departments)" for the calendar year, and the Seasonal Temporary Permit allows operation "for six continuous months during the calendar year". The notice says this covers festivals, farmers markets and other locations; that a vendor setting up somewhere other than an event registered with the department needs the property owner's written permission and must follow the rules of the city or town; that all temporary vendors must have a commissary unless the department approves an exemption; that permits must be posted in the booth or trailer; and that permits must be obtained seven days before an event, by mail or in person. Questions: (219) 755-3664.

Certified Food Protection Manager

No state fee — Indiana recognises accredited exam providers rather than certifying anyone itself, and the price is theirs. Every food establishment must have at least one certified manager responsible for all its operating hours, though that person need not be present throughout. Certificates last five years and working on an expired one is prohibited outright, at up to fifty dollars a day. Indiana Code chapter 16-42-5.2 sets no general food handler card — the one statutory food handler certificate is the one section 16-42-5.3-7 requires of home based vendors — and section 16-42-5.2-1 bars a local health department from imposing any registration, certification or licensing requirement on food handlers or certified managers, so a city cannot invent its own. The exemptions are wide — no raw animal cooking, heat-and-serve only, continental breakfast, drinks and ice, low-hazard items, hospitals and certain food pantries.

Shared with other businesses in Lake County In

• Retail Food Establishment Permit — Indiana Department of Health, Food Protection Division, $300–$1,690 a year, set by the local health department — there is no state fee, annual. Also required for restaurants and coffee shops; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.