Winnebago County, IL Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)

Winnebago County Code § 50-217 requires mobile food units, defined as vehicle-mounted food service establishments, pushcarts, or any other readily movable food unit, to operate from a commissary or other fixed service building built and run to the standards of Chapter 50, Article III. The commissary supplies cooking capacity, potable water, food and supply storage, wastewater disposal and sanitary cleaning for the unit between runs; plan review for the commissary and the unit follows the FDA Food Code Mobile Food Establishment Matrix in the 2013 FDA Food Code.

Under § 50-77(1)b.-c., a Category II health permit is required for every vehicle-mounted food service facility and a Category III permit for every vehicle-mounted door-to-door sales facility; the annual fee is $285 for Category II and $170 for Category III, on the county's March 31/June 30/September 30 category renewal cycle. Section 50-76(b) requires a written application to the health officer at least 30 calendar days before opening, and a renewal filed within 15 days of expiration or a $75 (Category II) or $25 (Category III) late fee applies, doubling after 45 days.

The health officer may suspend a permit under § 50-78 for noncompliance with any Code provision or written notice, effective immediately on service, with a hearing available if requested in writing within ten calendar days. Failure to seek reinstatement within 30 days of suspension converts it to a revocation under § 50-79, after which the operator must reapply from scratch. Category II facilities are inspected once a year and Category III facilities once every two years under § 50-81.