Kane County, IL Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)

Kane County Code Sec. 5-28 makes it unlawful for anyone to operate a food establishment, including a mobile food unit, nonmobile food unit or pushcart, without a valid permit from the Health Officer or an authorized representative, a requirement in place since January 1, 1987. Permits aren't transferable from one person to another or from one location to another, and a valid, unsuspended, unexpired permit has to be posted where customers can see it. Food-establishment permits expire December 31 every year no matter when in the year they were issued, while a temporary food establishment permit runs for no more than 14 consecutive days tied to a single event.

The fee schedule for mobile food units, nonmobile units and pushcarts sits in the county's environmental health fee schedule on file with the Kane County Clerk rather than in the ordinance text itself, and Sec. 5-28(C)(4) prorates new or ownership-change applications: 100 percent of the annual fee before July 1, 50 percent from July 1 on, and 25 percent from October 1 on. Renewal fees are due by December 31 of the prior year, and missing that deadline adds a late payment penalty of 25 percent of the required fee if paid by January 31, rising to 50 percent after that, on top of the base permit fee.

The Health Officer can also waive or reduce any fee under this article for hardship, public health reasons, or to mark a public health awareness event.