Providence County mobile food vendors need a city license plus a RI Department of Health mobile food service permit. Providence requires an annual mobile food establishment license; Cranston, Warwick, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, and other towns each license separately through the town/city clerk.
Rhode Island has no county government, so food truck permitting happens at two levels: (1) the RI Department of Health (RIDOH) issues the Mobile Food Service Establishment license under the RI Food Code (216-RICR-50-10-1) — all trucks statewide need this regardless of which town they operate in, with annual inspection and commissary letter; (2) each Providence County municipality issues its own business/peddler or mobile vendor license. Providence requires a Mobile Food Establishment license through the Board of Licenses (Code §14-306) with fees around $200-$400. Cranston licenses hawkers/peddlers under Chapter 8.16. Warwick regulates under Chapter 26. Pawtucket requires a mobile vendor license through the Licensing Department. Woonsocket, Smithfield, Johnston, and North Providence each use their town clerk's office. Propane-powered trucks need RI Fire Marshal approval under RIGL §23-28.25. Commercial auto insurance and a valid RI sales tax permit (Division of Taxation) are required.
Operating without a municipal license: $100-$500 per day depending on city ordinance. Operating without RIDOH permit: immediate closure and $100-$500 state fine. Expired permits: daily accruing fine plus impoundment of vehicle. Repeat offenders face license revocation and hearing before the local Board of Licenses.
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Providence County, RI
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