Wake County Environmental Health & Safety issues mobile food unit permits under NC Sanitation Rule 15A NCAC 18A .2600. An approved commissary is required as base of operations. Plan review takes ~10 business days. Food trucks may only operate in commercial zones unless part of a special event.
A Mobile Food Unit (MFU) is a fully enclosed unit with floors, walls, ceilings, refrigeration, cooking equipment, hood, three-compartment utensil sink, handwashing sink, and water heater. A 'pushcart' is hot-dog-only. Wake County requires plan review BEFORE construction or modification — submit through the online portal at wake.gov. The MFU must be linked to an approved commissary (a brick-and-mortar food establishment) that provides supplies, cleaning, and waste disposal. Operating without a permit or outside a commercial-zone parking lot in unincorporated Wake violates zoning. Permit fees are set annually by the Wake Board.
Operation without permit: closure plus civil penalty under NC Sanitation Code. Zoning violation (residential parking): UDO citation. Local cities (Raleigh, Cary) impose additional vending permit requirements.
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Wake County, NC
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Wake County, NC
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Wake County, NC
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