Salt Lake City

Department of Economic Development

Phone: (801) 535-7200 | Email: ed@slcgov.com

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Salt Lake City Food Truck Guide

Developing a Plan for Success

In Salt Lake City, our goal is to help every food truck owner—from the seasoned veterans to the new startups like you— we are here to help you take your business to the next level.

We have created this guide to help you avoid any of the pitfalls that may come in the process. And, as always, we’re here to help. If you have any questions or comments please reach out to the contacts listed below.

This guide covers the key factors that determine your success in Salt Lake City – including local laws and licensing requirements, parking opportunities, commissaries, and health code standards.

We recommend that you start BOTH Salt Lake City and County requirements concurrently, to save time. We want to help get you up and running as quickly as possible.

Local Laws and Licensing Requirements

First, it is a good idea to get familiar with the state-level standards set forth by the State of Utah Laws for Food Truck Operators and also the latest bills impacting food trucks.

Next, think about where you plan on operating your food truck and which local commissary you will be using.

Salt Lake City has adopted ordinances that address mobile food vending on both public and private property /special events. Standards for vending on public rights-of-way are addressed in Salt Lake City’s business licensing division.

Whether you choose to operate a food truck in a public or private setting within City limits:

  • A current Salt Lake City Business License is required for all mobile food businesses operating within Salt Lake City and separate fees are required for each vehicle.
  • A background check is required on owner/driver(s).
  • A certificate of insurance as set forth in section 63-30-34 of Utah Code.
  • All vehicles must meet all Salt Lake Valley Health Department requirements.
  • No professional or personal services shall be provided from the mobile business.
  • All materials generated from the business must be disposed of properly. Trash and recycling containers shall be provided for use of their patrons.
  • The area around the business must be maintained in a clean and attractive condition.
  • All signs must be physically attached to the vehicle unless authorized by ordinance.

Mobile food truck vehicles are not allowed to operate everywhere in Salt Lake City. And the laws vary slightly on whether you are in a public or private property/special event.

For public right-of-way locations:

  • Mobile food truck vehicles and trailers are allowed to operate in the public right-of-way only within the, M-1, M-2, D-1, D-2, D-3, D-4, G-MU, in accordance with 5.69. See Salt Lake City’s zoning map to get an idea of where these zones are located within City limits.
  • Only one vehicle operating in the public right of way is allowed within the same block face at one time.
  • When operating in the public right of way the vending window must face the sidewalk unless special permission is received from the Transportation Division.
  • No vehicle shall operate within one hundred feet (100’) on the same liner block face to the door of a restaurant or other food vendor without a waiver.
  • All enclosures or canopy extensions must not project into the public right of way unless authorized by the Transportation Division.
  • Business activity is to be temporary and the mobile food truck may not park at one location in the public right of way for more than two (2) hours unless a permit is received from the Transportation Division and cannot exceed more than 12 hours during any 24 hour period.

Special considerations for private and/or special event locations:

  • Food trucks are allowed to operate on private property only in certain zones with written permission of the property owner and cannot exceed more than 12 hours during any 24 hour period.
  •  Special event food truck vendors shall be governed by other ordinance, city policy, or executive order where applicable.

As you begin the process of applying for a Salt Lake City business license, it is important to know that all mobile food units are required to use a local commissary– a residential kitchen is not allowed.

If this is your first time operating a food truck in Salt Lake City, the business license is usually with the city where the commissary is located. These are the things you will need to bring with the application:

  • Salt Lake City Food Truck Checklist
  • Copy of all necessary licenses or permits required by state or local health and transportation authorities
  • Certificate of Insurance
  • Where applicable, written permission for use of private property from property owner
  • Proof of State Tax Identification for Salt Lake City
  • Copy of a valid driver’s license for each driver

If you are already licensed in another city in Utah, (also known as a reciprocal based mobile food truck) these are the things you will need to bring:

  • Salt Lake City Food Truck Checklist – Reciprocal Based
  • Where applicable, written permission for use of private property from property owner
  • Copy of all necessary licenses or permits required by state or local health.
  • Current City Business License within the State of Utah
  • Current Health Department Food Truck/Trailer Permit from local Health Department within the State of Utah
  • Current approval of a City within the State, that shows the Food Truck/Trailer passed a Fire safety inspection in accordance to Subsection 11-55-104(4)(a).

All required steps with the Salt Lake County can be done concurrently with Salt Lake City’s requirements.

The Salt Lake County Food Truck Booklet is a great place to research health code standards, expected costs, food permits, safety requirements and more.

Visit Salt Lake County’s mobile food service guidelines and follow this recommended checklist:

  • Attend a certified manager course and/or food handler class.
  • Obtain a signed commissary agreement from the commissary owner.
  • Register with the State of Utah Department of Commerce.
  • Apply with City Business Licensing.
  • Fill out Food Cart Mobile Unit Plan Review application.
  • Fill out food flow charts for every menu item to be served.
  • Fill out Permit Application.
  • Obtain a Restroom Agreement signed by property owner (not needed for mobile trucks).
  • Submit Commissary Agreement for approval to Salt Lake County Health Department.
  • After Commissary Agreement has been approved submit the following to Salt Lake County Health Department:
  • Truck/trailer registration if applicable
  • Vending route if applicable
  • Completed Food Cart Mobile Unit Plan Review application
  • Completed Food Flow Charts
  • Restroom agreement signed by property owner (not needed for mobile trucks)
  • Completed Permit Application
  • All applicable fees

To follow is a list of approved commissaries in our area. If you do not see a commissary listed here please reach out to our office for updates.

  • Apollo Burgers (Commissary) 940 W 1700 S
  • Brio Coffee Biology 259 S 1400 E
  • Church and State (Commissary) 370 S 300 E
  • Costa Vida Commissary 2180 S 300 W
  • On Time Commissary 1051 S 300 W
  • Squatters Pub Airport (Commissary) 751 W 800 S
  • Ashikat Kitchen/Commissary 751 W 800 S
  • Chile Verde Commissary 65 E Kensington Ave
  • Taqueria El Angel Commissary 877 W 400 S
  • Habanero Commissary 616 S 500 W
  • Smith Memorial Building/Commissary 15 E South Temple St
  • El Jaripeo Grill Restaurant/Commissary 1259 S Redwood Rd
  • Memos Fruits Commissary 1899 S Redwood Rd
  • Square Kitchen Commissary 751 W 800 S
  • Brazilians Food Festival/Commissary 5927 S State St
  • Community Pioneer Breakfast Commissary 1700 S 500 E
  • Delices Express/Commissary 2163 S Richard St
  • Makiko Hirota/Commissary 100 S 200-300W
  • Millcreek Coffee Roaster – Commissary 651 S Main St
  • Normal Ice Cream – Commissary 502 E 600 S
  • Polynesian Eats/Commissary 945 W Folsom Ave
  • Sonoran Grill @ Sergios Commissary 900 W 100 S
  • Utah Tibetan Association/Commissary 450 S 200 E
  • Com Com Kitchen 67 W 1700 S

We know that decoding the laws and requirements set forth by the State, County and City are a critical part in learning how to start a food truck.

We are here to help — it’s really that simple. Most of the time people just want someone to talk to or have someone who will explain things to them. We hope that by being available, getting feedback, and making continuous improvements to the process, your business will thrive and our entire business community will continue to grow and prosper. Helpful contacts here:

Salt Lake City Economic Development
City & County Building
451 South State Street Room 118
Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Phone: (801) 535-7200
E-Mail: ed@slcgov.com

Will Wright
Project Coordinator
William.wright@slcgov.com (801) 535-7936

Roberta Reichgelt
Local Business & Entrepreneurship Manager Roberta.Reichgelt@slcgov.com (801) 535-7694

Salt Lake City Food Truck Inspectors
Fire Inspection (801) 799-4164

Salt Lake City Business Licensing
City & County Building
451 South State Street Room 225
Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Phone: (801) 535-7224
E-mail: business.license@slcgov.com

Salt Lake County Health Department
788 East Woodoak Lane (5380 S)
Murray, UT 84107
Phone: (385) 468-3845

State of Utah Department of Commerce
Heber M. Wells Building 160 E 300 S
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 Mailing Address
SM Box 146701 Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6701
Phone: (801) 530-6701
E-Mail: commerce@utah.gov

As always, we’re here to help. If you have any questions or comments please reach out. You can also download the printed guide here.