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Prince George's County, MD Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Application requires
Vehicle registration and insurance copy
ID lettering
3-inch minimum contrasting-color letters
Must display
Current Health Department decal
Manager required
Certified Food Manager on site always
Fire review
Fire/EMS reviews open flame/propane
Cold storage
Hazardous food at 41°F or below

Summary

Getting a food truck licensed in Prince George's County means clearing both the Health Department and the Fire/EMS Department. Sec. 12-115 requires a complete application with vehicle registration and insurance, exterior signage with three-inch contrasting lettering and a current Health Department decal, a Certified Food Manager on board during operation, and Fire/EMS review of any open flame or propane equipment before the truck can vend.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Prince George's County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

(a)A complete mobile unit and/or food truck application must include:(1)A copy of the Vehicle Registration;(2)A copy of his/her insurance policy covering the special food service facility mobile unit and/or food truck; and(3)Certification of all applicable health and fire inspections as set forth in Section 12-115(b), (c) and (e) below.(b)Vehicle Identification.(1)The following information must be plainly visible and permanently affixed, with a minimum three (3) inch high letters of contrasting color, to the exterior body of the mobile unit and/or food truck as required by the Health Department:(A)Name of mobile unit and/or operator and the vehicle owner's name; and(B)Name, address and telephone number and email address of the vehicle owner and the vehicle operator.(2)A valid and current Health Department issued decal must be displayed at all times.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 2026 Update 2).

Full Breakdown

Sec. 12-115 sets out the licensing package for special food service facilities operating as mobile units or food trucks in the County. The application itself, under subsection (a), must include a copy of the vehicle registration, a copy of the insurance policy covering the mobile unit, and certification that the applicable health and fire inspections described later in the Section have been completed. Subsection (b) requires vehicle identification: the name of the mobile unit and operator, plus the vehicle owner's and operator's name, address, telephone number, and email address, permanently affixed to the exterior in letters at least three inches high in a contrasting color, along with a current, valid Health Department decal displayed at all times and a vehicle registration card and tag on hand before licensure.

03 on its own, written confirmation of access to an approved depot for utensil washing, waste disposal, potable water, or food storage. Subsection (e) folds in the Fire/EMS Department: it reviews and signs off on any open flame or propane gas use, conducts fire-safety inspections of mobile vending businesses, and enforces the operational permits required under Subtitle 11. Every mobile vendor also needs a Certified Food Manager Certificate under Sec. 12-114, with the certificate holder present during all hours of operation, and must pass the Health Department inspection required by Sec. 12-112.

Violations & Fines

Operating a mobile food unit without the required registration, insurance certification, exterior identification, Health Department decal, or Certified Food Manager violates Sec. 12-115 and Sec. 12-114. The Health Officer can deny or suspend the permit, and a serious health violation can trigger an immediate closure order under Sec. 12-111. A chronic offender faces a civil fine of up to $1,000 for each separate offense under Sec. 12-113.

Frequently Asked Questions

What paperwork does a food truck need to get licensed?
Sec. 12-115(a) requires a complete application with a copy of the vehicle registration, a copy of the insurance policy covering the mobile unit, and certification of the applicable health and fire inspections described elsewhere in the Section.
What has to be printed on the truck itself?
Sec. 12-115(b) requires the operator's and vehicle owner's names, plus the owner's and operator's address, phone number and email, permanently affixed to the exterior in letters at least three inches high of a contrasting color, along with a current Health Department decal displayed at all times.
Does a food truck need a certified food manager?
Yes. Sec. 12-115(e)(2) requires all mobile vendors to have a Certified Food Manager Certificate under Sec. 12-114, and that certificate holder must be present the entire time the truck is operating, with narrow exceptions for vendors selling only whole, uncut produce.
Who inspects a food truck's propane setup?
The Fire/EMS Department reviews and signs off on the use of open flame and propane gas in mobile vending operations under Sec. 12-115(e)(1), and also conducts fire-safety inspections separate from the Health Department's food inspections under Sec. 12-112.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Prince George's County

All Prince George's County rules

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