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

Mobile Food Service Permit (truck, trailer or pushcart)

A food truck, trailer or pushcart operating in Schenectady County needs a mobile food service permit from Schenectady County Public Health Services, Environmental Health Division. Per the Schenectady County Public Health Services Permit Fee Determination Schedule (linked from the county's Environmental Health Permits page as the "Appropriate fee"), the fee is $190 ("MOBILE FOOD VENDORS"), and the county's Mobile Food Service Plan Review Packet (8.20.25) states: "Payment of $190 for mobile only or $255 for mobile and frozen dessert." The schedule prints no effective date; Schenectady County Sanitary Code §125.01(I)(2) provides that fees are set and amended by the county legislature by resolution. The Permits page states: "Mobile Food Service permits issued are valid from date of approval to December 31st of each year." A new unit first goes through plan review, at $150 per project per the county's Plan Review Fee Determination Schedule, with plans submitted at least 30 days before construction, renovation or initial operation; the Permits page requires that "All applicable motor vehicle, building, fire department, electrical and plumbing permits must be secured and satisfied before issuance of a permit from this office," and asks for a permitted commissary, a menu, a route list of vending locations and a manager-level food safety training certificate for at least one person. The Permits page accepts proof of exemption from payment in place of the fee (NYS form ST-119.1 and an IRS letter granting 501(c)(3) status). The Permits page accepts online applications through the Schenectady County Citizen Engagement Portal ("Pay by debit, credit card, or e-check"), or applications by mail or in person at 107 Nott Terrace, Suite 300, with checks payable to the County of Schenectady; it states "Partial Payments are not accepted."

Food Service Establishment Permit

Delegated, so there is no statewide fee and none is shown here. The permit comes from the county or city health department with jurisdiction; where a county has no health department the state's own regional or district health director issues it instead, and in those cases the state portal lists a band of $75 to $175. New York City is a separate regime under the city health department. The term is unusual and worth planning around: up to two years rather than a fixed annual cycle, with the permit-issuing official setting the length based on your compliance record, the risk your operation presents, and whether you run an acceptable self-inspection programme — so a good record literally buys you a longer permit. One statutory fee does exist statewide and is easy to miss: $25 a year to manufacture frozen desserts for retail sale, collected alongside whatever the local permit costs. Approved day care centres, hospitals and nursing homes need no separate food service permit unless a third party runs the food service.

Shared with other businesses in Schenectady County

• Catering / Commissary Permit — Schenectady County Public Health Services, Environmental Health Division, $365 per operation per year ("CATERERS AND COMMISSARIES" $365.00 in the Permit Fee Determination Schedule; the county FAQ states "Catering permits are $365/year"), annual; the county FAQ states catering permits are "year-round permits that must be renewed annually". Also required for restaurants; what it involves is set out on the restaurants page.
• Temporary Food Service Permit — Schenectady County Public Health Services, Environmental Health Division, $90 per vendor, per event ("TEMPORARY FOOD SERVICE ... Per booth/event $ 90.00" in the Permit Fee Determination Schedule; the application instructions state "Payment of $90 per vendor"), one event at a fixed location of not more than 14 consecutive days, per the county Food Services FAQ. Also required for restaurants and coffee shops; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.
• Food Worker Training — Local Option under 10 NYCRR 14-1.73 (New York) — New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Community Environmental Health and Food Protection, No fee, set by the permit-issuing official where one is imposed. Also required for restaurants and coffee shops; what it involves is set out on the restaurants page.