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Baltimore County, MD Public Health Rules: Food Handler Certification (2026)

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

Key Facts

Certification required
Certified food service manager Level I
On duty
Whenever the food truck is operating
Change reporting
Must notify Department within 14 days
Enforcing agencies
Dept. of PAI and County Health Department
Governing law
Baltimore County Code § 21-8-104(a)(4)

Summary

Baltimore County won't license a food truck unless the application names a certified food service manager Level I who is on duty every time the truck operates. Code § 21-8-104(a)(4) ties that certification to the food service facility permit the County Health Department also requires before the Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections issues the truck's license.

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

(a)Application contents. An applicant for a license shall submit to the Department an application that includes:(1)The applicant's contact information and description;(2)The make, model, registration, commercial license plate number, and description of the food truck;(3)Insurance information for the food truck and evidence of inspection by the County Health Department;(4)The name and contact information of the certified food service manager Level I who will be on duty at all times the food truck is in operation;(5)The food service facility permit issued by the County Health Department; and(6)Any other information required by the Department.(b)Application fee. The County Administrative Officer shall establish the license fee to be paid by an applicant. (Bill No. 76-13, § 1, 2-3-2014)

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 29 | Zoning Regulations: Supplement 10).

Full Breakdown

Under Baltimore County Code § 21-8-104, an applicant for a food truck license must submit contact and vehicle information, insurance proof, and evidence that the County Health Department has inspected the truck. Subsection (a)(4) specifically requires the name and contact information of the certified food service manager Level I who will be on duty at all times the food truck is in operation, and subsection (a)(5) requires the food service facility permit the Health Department issues separately. The County Administrative Officer sets the license fee under subsection (b).

Because the certified manager requirement sits inside the license application itself, a truck can't legally operate under § 21-8-103 without naming that person, and dropping the certified manager from the roster without updating the county is treated as a change in application information that must be reported within 14 days under § 21-8-107(3). Failing to report the change, or operating without a certified manager on duty, gives the Department grounds to deny, suspend, or revoke the license under § 21-8-107. The Department of Health separately enforces the food service regulations and Article 3, Title 6 of the Code covering the underlying health permit, while the Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections enforces the licensing title itself, per § 21-8-110(c).

Violations & Fines

Operating a food truck without a certified food service manager Level I on duty, or without updating the county within 14 days of a change in that information, is grounds for the Department to deny, suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew the license under § 21-8-107. A general violation of Title 8 is also a misdemeanor carrying a fine of up to $100 per offense under § 21-8-110(a), separate from any Health Department enforcement of the food service permit itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Baltimore County food truck need a certified food manager?
Yes. Section 21-8-104(a)(4) requires the license application to name a certified food service manager Level I who is on duty every time the truck operates. The truck also needs the separate food service facility permit the County Health Department issues under subsection (a)(5).
What happens if the certified manager changes?
The licensee must notify the Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections in writing within 14 days of any change to the information in the license application, including a change in the certified manager, under § 21-8-107(3). Failing to report it is grounds for the Department to deny, suspend, or revoke the license.
Who enforces the food handler requirement?
Both agencies play a role. The Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections enforces the Title 8 licensing requirements, including the certified manager rule, while the County Health Department enforces the food service facility permit and food service regulations under Article 3, Title 6 of the Code, per § 21-8-110(c).

Sources & Official References

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