Fort Wayne, IN Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit fee, under 1,000 lbs
- $130 per year (§ 113.26(C)(1))
- Permit fee, over 1,000 lbs
- $200 per year (§ 113.26(C)(2))
- Permit term
- One year; renew by the 15th of the anniversary month (§ 113.21(A))
- Issuing authority
- Health Commissioner, Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Public Health
- Lettering on the unit
- Name, address, phone not less than two inches high (§ 113.16)
- Max fine per violation
- $500, each day a separate offense (§ 113.99)
Summary
Fort Wayne requires every mobile food service establishment to hold a Health Commissioner permit before selling food, with the permit displayed inside the unit at all times.
It shall be unlawful for any person to sell or give away any food or to operate a food establishment or to act, whether actually or ostensibly, as a food establishment operator in the county, who does not possess a valid permit for each such operation from the Health Commissioner, unless otherwise exempted from the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. G-07-91, passed 2-28-91; Am. Ord. G-26-98, passed 6-9-98) § 113.16 POSTING. All permits shall be posted in a conspicuous place in view of the public in each food establishment. With respect to mobile food establishments, the name, address and telephone number of the permittee shall be conspicuously displayed on each licensed mobile unit not less than two inches in height. In addition, a copy of the permit must be located in each mobile unit at all times for purposes of identification. (Ord. G-07-91, passed 2-28-91; Am. Ord. G-26-98, passed 6-9-98)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-60: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. G-19-26, passed 7-14-26, and Res. 83-19, passed 12-17-19 State legislation current through Legislative Service, 2025 Acts, Pamphlet No. 3).
Full Breakdown
Under Code of Ordinances § 113.15, it is unlawful to sell or give away food, or to operate a food establishment, without a valid permit for each operation from the Health Commissioner. Section 113.01 defines the Health Commissioner as the Director of Public Health of the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Public Health. Mobile units must post the permittee's name, address, and telephone number in letters not less than two inches high on each licensed unit, and keep a copy of the permit in the unit at all times for identification (§ 113.16).
A separate permit is required for each food establishment or vending operation (§ 113.17). The permit runs one year from the date of issue and is renewed on or before the 15th day of the anniversary month, with an extension to the following business day when the 15th falls on a weekend or government-recognized holiday (§ 113.21(A)). Permit fees for a mobile food service establishment are set by gross weight: $130 under 1,000 pounds and $200 over 1,000 pounds (§ 113.26(C)). No permit is transferable (§ 113.22).
Violations & Fines
A willful violation of Chapter 113 carries a fine of not more than $500 for each violation, with each day the violation exists counted as a separate offense (§ 113.99). Fines are payable in full within 45 days unless the Hearing Officer orders otherwise, late payment adds a ten percent fee, and no permit is issued or renewed until all fines are paid in full.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues the Fort Wayne mobile food unit permit?
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Sources & Official References
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