Quick answer
Texas (DSHS, since July 1, 2026), Florida (DBPR, since 2020) and Oklahoma (since November 2025) license mobile food units statewide. Louisiana permits are valid in every parish. Georgia and Arizona issue county permits that other counties must recognize, and Alabama adds statewide health and fire certificates from January 1, 2027.
| State | Health license | Valid statewide? | Trailer title | Tax when you buy | Recent law |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | DSHS mobile food vendor license: Type I $309, Type II $618 + $400 inspection, Type III $876 + $500 | Yes, statewide since July 1, 2026 | Over 4,000 lb gross; Form 130-U | Sales tax 6.25% + local, charged on the sale (mobile office) | HB 2844 (2025) |
| Alabama | County health department; plan review; commissary | From Jan 1, 2027 (SB197 certificates) | Bumper-pull trailers may be exempt; registered either way | 2% state automotive + local | SB197 (2026) |
| Arizona | County license; Maricopa Type III plan review $300, permit $610 | Yes, county license has statewide reciprocity | Title within 15 days (ADOT MVD) | 5.6% state use tax + city | A.R.S. 36-1761 |
| Arkansas | Dept. of Health Food Mobile permit $35/yr; plan review 1% (min $50, max $500) | No statewide override; cities add permits | Title within 30 days | 6.5% + capped local; no credit for other states on trailers | None found |
| Florida | DBPR Mobile Food Dispensing Vehicle license $347/yr + $50; plan review $0 | Yes, state preemption since 2020 | 2,000 lb net or more | 6% + county surtax on first $5,000 | Ch. 2020-160 |
| Georgia | County board of health Mobile Food Service Unit Permit; base of operation | Yes, recognized statewide since 2023 | 2,001 lb or more; Form MV-1, $18 | 4% state + local (no TAVT on trailers) | HB 1443 (2022) |
| Louisiana | LDH permit $150/yr; plan review $100 or $1,000 expedited | Yes, valid in every parish | All trailers | 5% state + parish/city | Plan review fee (2025) |
| New Mexico | NMED permit (Albuquerque/Bernalillo separate); plans 30 days before building | Statewide except Albuquerque/Bernalillo | Title within 30 days (MVD) | 4% motor vehicle excise tax | New NMED fees Oct 1, 2026 |
| North Carolina | County health department permit $120; counties may charge up to $250 for plan review | One permit with county location lists | Titled like a car; Form MVR-1 | 3% highway use tax (no sales tax) | None found |
| Oklahoma | OSDH license $425 ($335 renewal); plan review $425; State Fire Marshal decal; LP gas permit | Yes, since Nov 1, 2025 | Commercial trailers titled; commercially registered tow vehicle | 3.25% vehicle excise tax (new) | HB 1076, HB 2459 (2025); HB 3369 (2026) |
| Tennessee | TDH permit after plan approval; optional state fire permit | Fire permit statewide; cities add vendor permits | County clerk | 7% + local on first $1,600 + single-article tax | Public Chapter 390 (2023) |
| California | County health permit only with an HCD insignia on enclosed units | County | DMV | Not covered here | HCD insignia required |
Each state page lists its official sources. Rules and fees change; confirm with the agency before you buy or apply.
Questions
Which states have one statewide food truck license?
Texas (DSHS, since July 1, 2026), Florida (DBPR, since 2020) and Oklahoma (since November 2025) license mobile food units statewide. Louisiana permits are valid in every parish. Georgia and Arizona issue county permits that other counties must recognize, and Alabama adds statewide health and fire certificates from January 1, 2027.
Which states changed food truck laws in 2025 and 2026?
Texas (HB 2844, statewide DSHS license from July 1, 2026), Oklahoma (HB 1076 Food Truck Freedom Act and HB 2459 fire rules, both November 2025, and HB 3369 in 2026), Alabama (SB197, effective July 1, 2026 with certificates from January 1, 2027), New Mexico (new NMED fees October 1, 2026) and Louisiana (plan review fees from July 1, 2025).
Do I need plan review before buying a food trailer?
Often, yes. Louisiana, Oklahoma, Tennessee and New Mexico require plans before a unit is built, Florida requires plan review for any vehicle it has never licensed, Wake County (North Carolina) and Maricopa County (Arizona) review plans, and Georgia's application asks for a scale drawing and equipment spec sheets.
Why is California different?
California requires an insignia of approval from its Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) on food trailers an operator works inside, and county health departments will not issue a permit without it.