Somerville food trucks need a Mobile Food Vendor permit from the Health Department plus a state common victualler and vehicle registration.
Operating a food truck in Somerville requires a Mobile Food Vendor permit from the Somerville Health Department, a City Common Victualler license issued by the Licensing Commission, an allergen awareness certificate, and at least one ServSafe certified manager on the truck. State-level requirements include a Massachusetts Department of Public Health mobile food establishment plan review, current commercial motor vehicle registration, and propane inspection by the Fire Department. Trucks must operate from a licensed commissary (no home-based prep) and submit their weekly route for approval. Operators pay an application fee plus an annual permit fee, and the permit runs January to December. Enforcement is shared by Health, Police, and Fire; violations can trigger immediate shutdown and permit revocation.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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Somerville, MA
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