Maryland Food Truck Permits: State License and Reciprocity Rules

Maryland regulates food trucks statewide through the Maryland Department of Health and the county health departments that license food establishments under COMAR 10.15.03. Health-General § 21-305 states a person may not operate a food establishment unless licensed by the Department. To avoid a separate plan review and license in every jurisdiction, § 21-304 requires a county health department to issue a mobile reciprocity license to a truck operating in the county, operating within 90 miles of its base of operations, and holding a valid license from its county of origin. The fee cannot exceed $300, the license runs one year, and a county may not demand a fresh inspection if the county of origin already inspected the truck.

Operating a mobile food service facility without the required license from the Department is prohibited under Health-General § 21-305. The licensing county health department inspects trucks in its jurisdiction and pursues enforcement for food-safety violations, notifying the county of origin.