Plainfield, NJ Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Annual license fee
- $1,000 per food vehicle, or $400 per quarter
- License expiry
- May 31 every year, whatever the issue date
- Liability insurance
- At least $1,000,000 per occurrence
- Licenses available
- 12 for Church Street, 12 for restaurant-based vendors
- Maximum fine
- $2,000 per day for each violation
- Approval order
- Zoning first, then Fire, Health, Police, then City Clerk
Summary
In the City of Plainfield, a food truck operator needs four sign-offs before selling a single item: zoning approval from the Zoning Officer, Fire and Health Certificates of Approval, a Police background check, and a license from the City Clerk. The license costs $1,000 annually and every license expires on May 31.
A. General Provisions. ... 1. Any individual/corporation who wishes to operate as a mobile food vendor must obtain zoning approval from the Zoning Officer, Certificates of Approval from the Fire and Health Departments, an acceptable background check from the Police Department, and a license from the City Clerk. All applications are first to be submitted to the Zoning Officer, and only upon an acceptable finding as to the proposed location, advance on to obtain other approvals. Zoning, fire, police and health approvals shall be obtained prior to the submission of license application to the City Clerk. ... 4. The City Clerk issued license, the police background check, and the Health and Fire Department Certificates of Approval shall be valid for one year and expire on May 31, regardless of the month the license was issued. ... D. Fees. ... 1. The license fee for food vehicles shall be $1,000 annually, inclusive of the Zoning Officer review, Health, and Fire Department certificates per food vehicle, except that holders of special licenses pursuant to Subsection A7 above shall be exempt.
Full Breakdown
Plainfield Municipal Code § 17:9-30A sets one licensing path for vendors who prepare and sell food from mobile, non-permanent vehicles at stationary locations in the City of Plainfield, Union County, New Jersey. Pushcart peddlers who travel from place to place are handled separately under Chapter 9, Article 7. Every application starts with the Zoning Officer, using the same development permit application as all zoning requests. Only a favorable finding on the proposed location lets the vendor move on to the Police, Fire and Health forms, which are picked up at those offices. The City Clerk's license application is the same as a Peddler's Permit application, and every approved certificate is brought to the Clerk with it.
At the first submission to the Zoning Officer the applicant provides a Business Registration Certificate from the New Jersey Division of Taxation, proof of ownership or rental of the food vehicle, proof of motor vehicle insurance under N.J.S.A. 39:6B-1 plus general liability coverage of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence, a satisfactory motor vehicle inspection report issued no more than 30 days before the Clerk filing, and the vehicle's make and model, state plate number, driver's identification number and a copy of the state registration.
The license, the police background check, and the Health and Fire certificates run one year and expire May 31 regardless of the month issued, so renewal paperwork is due by the end of May. Annual zoning approval is not repeated when the site has not changed, but a new site needs a new zoning application. Licenses are not transferable. Each employee who works the vehicle needs a permit and an annual background check, and the permits of a terminated employee go back to the City Clerk within 10 days.
The fee is $1,000 annually per food vehicle, inclusive of the Zoning Officer review and the Health and Fire certificates. It can be paid quarterly at $400 per quarter. Applicants pay their own fingerprinting cost, and a duplicate or amended license costs $25. All licenses, approvals and permits must be displayed in full view on the vehicle while it operates.
Violations & Fines
Operating without the written approvals is prohibited. Under § 17:9-30A, subsection E, a violation draws a fine not exceeding $2,000 per day for each violation, and every day counts as a separate offense. Violations must be abated within 48 hours of issuance, and failure to comply brings a summons of $150 per day. A vendor operating without a valid license or health certificate is deemed a public safety hazard and can be ticketed or impounded under the direction of the Police Department or Health Officer. Licenses can also be revoked for false statements or unlawful operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do I apply to first for a food truck license in Plainfield?
How much does a Plainfield food vehicle license cost and when does it expire?
How many food truck licenses does the City issue?
What does a one-time special event license cost?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Plainfield
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