Roanoke County, VA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- License classification
- Peddler, perishable family supplies
- Annual license tax
- $50.00
- Prerequisite
- Proof of health department permit
- General merchandise peddler rate
- $250/month per vehicle, capped $500/yr
- Issued by
- Commissioner of the Revenue
- Operating unlicensed
- Class 1 misdemeanor (§ 10-19)
Summary
Roanoke County, Virginia (outside the cities of Roanoke and Salem) licenses food trucks as peddlers of "family supplies of a perishable nature" under § 10-45, taxed at $50.00 a year. The commissioner of the revenue won't issue that license until the operator proves they hold the required health department permit.
Any person who shall carry from place to place any goods, wares, or merchandise and offer to sell or barter the same, or actually sell or barter the same, shall be deemed to be a peddler. Peddlers of family supplies of a perishable nature and peddlers of ice, wood, or coal shall pay for the privilege of engaging in such business a license tax of fifty dollars ($50.00) per year. ... For purposes of this section, "family supplies of a perishable nature" shall include meals from food trucks, meats, milk, butter, eggs, poultry, game, vegetables, fruits, flowers, plants, seafood, sandwiches, or other farm products. All other products—except ice, wood, or charcoal—shall be considered "general merchandise." Prior to the issuance of any business license to a peddler or itinerant merchant of family supplies of a perishable nature, the applicant shall provide proof of any required permit or license from the health department.
Full Breakdown
Section 10-45 governs peddlers and itinerant merchants under Chapter 10's special license provisions. 00 a year) charged to peddlers of general merchandise. Subsection (c) spells out what counts as perishable family supplies: "family supplies of a perishable nature" shall include meals from food trucks, meats, milk, butter, eggs, poultry, game, vegetables, fruits, flowers, plants, seafood, sandwiches, or other farm products," with everything else treated as general merchandise taxed at the steeper rate. That same subsection conditions the license on health compliance: before the county issues a peddler or itinerant merchant license for perishable family supplies, the applicant must provide proof of any required permit or license from the health department.
00 annual tax for itinerant merchants of perishable family supplies. Subsection (d) exempts only people selling supplies they grew or produced themselves, which does not cover a typical food truck vendor preparing and selling meals.
Violations & Fines
Operating a food truck in the county without the § 10-45 peddler or itinerant merchant license, or without first providing proof of the required health department permit, falls under Chapter 10's general enforcement scheme. Section 10-19(a) makes operating any business without the license required by this chapter a Class 1 misdemeanor, and the commissioner of revenue can also assess omitted license taxes for up to three prior license years under § 10-15.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Roanoke County require a special license for food trucks?
Do I need a health permit before I get my county food truck license?
How much does a Roanoke County food truck license cost?
What if my food truck stays parked at one spot for months?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Roanoke County
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