Boone County, IN Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)

Under Boone County Code Chapter 111, a MOBILE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT is defined as a retail food establishment that is wheeled, mounted on skids or a vehicle, or otherwise readily movable, such as a pushcart or trailer, that changes locations too frequently to be a candidate for permanent utility connections, as determined by the Health Officer. Section 111.02 makes it unlawful to operate one in Boone County without first obtaining a valid permit from the Health Officer, and that permit must be posted where the public can see it.

Only operators who comply with 410 IAC 7-15.5 and/or 410 IAC 7-24, the state retail food rules, may obtain and keep a permit, and a separate permit is required for each mobile unit. Permits are not transferable or refundable. Section 111.02(B)(3) sets the mobile food establishment permit to expire on December 31 of the same calendar year in which it is issued, so a unit that starts operating mid-year still loses its permit at year-end. Applications go to the Boone County Health Department in writing on the department's own form, per § 111.02(D), and the permit itself must show the operator's name and address, the establishment's location, and issuance and expiration dates under § 111.02(C).

Fees are set by the Health Department under I.C. 16-20-1-27 and Ordinance 2005-12 (§ 111.03), and a late fee applies if a mobile food establishment application is not submitted at least two business days before the start of operation. Section 111.05 covers compliance and enforcement, and § 111.06 provides an appeals process before a hearing officer for anyone aggrieved by an enforcement order.