Fort Wayne, IN Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit fee, under 1,000 lbs
- $130 per year
- Permit fee, over 1,000 lbs
- $200 per year
- Permit term
- 1 year, renews by 15th
- Max fine per violation
- $500 per day
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, operating a food establishment without a valid Health Commissioner permit is unlawful. Mobile units must post the permittee's name, address and phone number in letters at least two inches tall on the vehicle, and keep a copy of the permit onboard for identification (§ 113.16). Permits run one year and renew by the 15th of the anniversary month (§ 113.21(A)). The Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health issues and enforces these permits.
Violations & Fines
Operating without a permit or a willful violation of Chapter 113 carries a fine up to $500 per violation, with each day counted as a separate offense; unpaid fines block permit renewal (§ 113.99).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues the Fort Wayne mobile food unit permit?
What has to be displayed on the food truck itself?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Wayne
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