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Madison County, IL Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Vending Zones (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Permit issuer
County Health Department
Permit term
12 months from issuance, § 55.17
Zoning compliance required
Yes, § 55.16(A)
Site approval required
From local governing body, § 55.16(B)(6)
Temporary event permit length
Up to 14 days
Max fine
$500 per offense per day, § 55.99

Summary

Madison County requires every mobile food establishment, from taco trucks to trailer-mounted kitchens, to hold a Health Department permit before it operates anywhere in the county. Under Code § 55.16, the operator must comply with the county's zoning provisions and prove the city, village, or county board where it wants to park has approved that specific location before the Health Department will issue the permit.

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

Any person desiring to operate a food establishment, mobile food establishment, commissary, or temporary food establishment must comply with existing county zoning provisions, where applicable, and shall make written application for a permit on forms provided by the Health Department. ... (6) Proof of approval from the local governing body to operate in the location for which they have applied;

Full Breakdown

02 that move from location to location and cannot connect permanently to water, wastewater, or electricity. Before the Health Department will issue a permit, division (A) requires the operator to comply with existing county zoning provisions and file a written application; a non-resident applicant must also designate a resident managing or registered agent for service. Division (B) then lists what a mobile unit must supply on top of that application: proof it can access a permitted commissary since food may not be prepared at a private residence, the commissary's hours of access, a list of every item to be prepared and served, the truck's itinerary and operating schedule, proof of restroom access, a completed Health Department plan review, and proof of approval from the local governing body to operate in the location for which it has applied.

37(D), adds that a unit running propane, natural gas, or a fire-suppression hood must also produce that local governing body approval during plan review. 17; a truck without an annual permit may still work single events under a 14-day temporary food establishment permit. 15 makes an expired, suspended, or missing permit grounds for immediate closure of the operation.

Violations & Fines

Operating without a valid permit triggers immediate closure under § 55.15. Beyond that, § 55.99 makes any permit holder who violates the chapter, including the zoning and site-approval steps in § 55.16, subject to a fine of up to $500 for each offense, with every day the violation continues counted as a separate offense. The Health Officer, with Board of Health approval, may also seek injunctive relief, and the County State's Attorney prosecutes on the Board's behalf.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a food truck set up anywhere in unincorporated Madison County?
No. Section 55.16(A) requires the operator to comply with the county's existing zoning provisions, and 55.16(B)(6) requires proof the local governing body, meaning the county board or the city or village where the truck wants to park, approved that specific location before the Health Department issues a permit.
What must a mobile food vendor prove to get a Madison County permit?
Under § 55.16(B), the vendor must show access to a permitted commissary, list the commissary's hours of access, provide restroom access, list every item served, submit an operating itinerary, complete a Health Department plan review, and supply written approval from the local governing body for the vending location.
How long does a Madison County mobile food permit last?
An annual mobile food establishment permit runs for 12 months from its issuance date under § 55.17. A truck that has not obtained the annual permit can instead work single events under a temporary food establishment permit, which is valid for no more than 14 consecutive days.
What happens if a food truck operates without a valid Madison County permit?
Section 55.15 requires immediate closure of any food establishment, mobile unit, or commissary that lacks a valid, unexpired, unsuspended permit. On top of the shutdown, § 55.99 exposes the operator to a fine of up to $500 per offense, with each day of continued operation counted separately.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Madison County

All Madison County rules

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