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

Mobile Food Unit License (zoned areas of unincorporated Greenville County)

County Council adopted CZ-2025-066 at third reading on December 2, 2025 (the minutes record "Motion carried"), adding the Mobile Food Unit, defined as "Any vehicle, trailer, or other movable motorized or non-motorized establishment that is used for the sale of food and beverages to the general public", as a conditional use in the AG, NC, C-1, C-2, C-3, S-1 and I-1 districts, with conditions in §6:2(35). The county's Mobile Food Units booklet (updated June 2026) states that the regulations "took effect on June 3rd, 2026" and "only apply to property located within zoned areas of Greenville County"; it adds that "Mobile food units can also operate in any unzoned areas of the county." The booklet's steps: first contact the fire district for the proposed location, which must inspect the unit before the county license is applied for; then apply in eTRAKiT under the application type "Mobile Food Unit", uploading the fire department report, a permission letter from the property owner or leaseholder and a site plan, with a separate license for each regular location; once approved, register the business under the County Business Registration program. The ordinance conditions include: no permanent structure added to or adjacent to the unit; the unit and all equipment removed every night unless it is part of a special event lasting more than one day; a tent larger than 400 sq. ft. needs a Temporary Tent Permit; no unit in a sight triangle; written permission from the property owner; no blocking of parking, emergency, handicap or other access; compliance with the Noise and Sign Ordinances; trash removed every night; "Must obtain a Business Registration from Greenville County"; all permits and approvals required by any other federal or state agency; and "Any generator that is to be used must be located at least 50 ft. from any residentially used or zoned parcel." Failure to meet the conditions is punishable under Article 13 of the Zoning Ordinance. The state food permit for the unit is a separate state record.

Temporary Tent Permit (Greenville County Building Safety)

The county's Temporary Tent Permit Requirements sheet (business, demonstrations, revivals, sales and similar uses), linked from the Building Safety Forms page, states: "Permits are required for Tents with sidewalls and or drops that are greater than 400 sq. ft. or Tents open on all sides that exceed 700 sq. ft." Tents requiring a permit comply with IBC 3103, IFC 3103 and 3104 and NFPA 701; a 12-foot separation between tents or from other structures is required; and "Duration of Use is limited to 180 days", after which permanent requirements and plan review apply. The applicant applies in eTRAKiT and provides the proposed length of time on site, approved toilet facilities (sewer connection or a service contract matching the duration of use), an 8-1/2 x 11 site plan with dimensions to property lines, right of way and other structures, the setbacks to the county or SCDOT right of way, and a flame spread certificate complying with NFPA 701; the tent is inspected for setbacks and tie-downs. For a mobile food unit, §6:2(35) of the Zoning Ordinance (CZ-2025-066) states that a tent "cannot be larger than 400 sq. ft. without obtaining a Temporary Tent Permit".

Shared with other businesses in Greenville County

• Retail Food Establishment Permit — South Carolina Department of Agriculture, Retail Food Safety and Compliance, $100 to open plus an annual inspection fee of $100 to $450 banded by gross food sales — $100 up to $250,000, rising in $50 steps to $450 above $1.75 million, annual — the inspection fee is invoiced and due thirty days from the billing date. Also required for restaurants and coffee shops; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.
• Certified Food Protection Manager — South Carolina Department of Agriculture, Retail Food Safety and Compliance, No fee, set by the certifying programme — South Carolina's rules specify none. Also required for restaurants and coffee shops; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.