Food truck permits in Worcester County are issued by each municipality. Worcester requires a Mobile Food Vendor permit from the License Commission plus a food service permit from the Worcester Department of Public Health under 105 CMR 590.
Worcester County has no role in food truck licensing because county government was abolished in 1998. Food trucks in the City of Worcester require: (1) a Mobile Food Vendor permit from the Worcester License Commission; (2) a food service permit from the Worcester Department of Public Health (WDPH) under 105 CMR 590 (the Massachusetts Food Code, based on FDA Food Code 2013); (3) commissary agreement with a licensed food establishment for prep, handwashing, and waste disposal; (4) vehicle inspection; (5) ServSafe-certified food protection manager; (6) liability insurance typically $1M general liability; and (7) fire inspection (fire suppression system per NFPA 96 if using grease-producing equipment). Fitchburg, Leominster, Gardner, Worcester, Milford, and other Worcester County cities each have their own Mobile Food Vendor permitting processes through their License Commissions or Boards of Health. Operating across multiple municipalities requires separate local permits in each — this is a common frustration for Worcester County food truck operators who often work events in neighboring towns. The MA Department of Public Health doesn't issue statewide food truck permits. Annual renewal required. Events like the Worcester Food Truck Festival require additional event permits through Worcester Parks & Recreation.
Operating without Worcester permit: $250-$1,000 plus impoundment by License Commission. Food Code (105 CMR 590) violations: immediate closure order from WDPH plus fines per 105 CMR 590.11. Operating in another Worcester County town without that town's permit: separate citation per municipality.
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Worcester, MA
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