Food trucks in Union County require mobile food vendor licenses from each municipality plus Union County Division of Environmental Health food service permits under N.J.A.C. 8:24 (NJ Retail Food Code). Elizabeth Chapter 5.40 requires annual license, NJ Division of Motor Vehicles commercial registration, and commissary agreement. Westfield, Summit, and Cranford limit food trucks to special events. Plainfield and Linden permit street vending in designated zones. Each municipality charges separate fees; NJ ServSafe or equivalent food manager certification required.
Food truck regulation in Union County is fragmented across 21 municipalities with no county-wide reciprocity. Elizabeth Revised Ordinances Chapter 5.40 requires a Mobile Food Vendor License ($250 to $750 annually depending on class), NJ DMV commercial vehicle registration, NJ sales tax certificate, liability insurance of $1 million minimum, a written commissary agreement for food prep and waste disposal, and vehicle inspection. Union County Division of Environmental Health (within the Department of Human Services) issues the NJ Retail Food Establishment License under N.J.A.C. 8:24 with an annual fee of $200 to $500 and vehicle inspection. At least one person on the truck must hold a certified food manager credential (ServSafe or ANSI-accredited). Westfield Code §11-26 limits mobile food vendors to downtown Sweet Sounds events and Farmers' Market with Town Council approval. Summit permits at specific events only. Cranford Code §4-15 limits to special events, Nomahegan Park events, and brewery/restaurant lots with property owner permission. Plainfield Code §11:2 designates specific downtown vending zones. Linden and Rahway both permit broader street vending. Scotch Plains allows food trucks at designated park events. Ice cream trucks face separate N.J.S.A. 39:4-128.4 state regulations including flashing arm safety equipment.
Operating without Elizabeth license: $500 to $2,000 plus truck impoundment. No county health permit: immediate cease-operation order. Expired commissary agreement: $250 per day. Operating in prohibited zone (Westfield non-event): $500 per occurrence.
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