Pittsburgh food truck permits: checklist & costs

What a food truck needs to operate in Pittsburgh, PA — the approvals, who issues them, typical fees and how often they renew.

Estimated first-year permitting

$500–$1,200

Planning estimate — pending more precise per-agency figures

Allow 3-4 weeks for the Allegheny County Health Department inspection slot.

Permit checklist

  1. 1. Mobile Vendor License

    Pittsburgh Dept. of Permits, Licenses & Inspections · fee varies · renews every year

  2. 2. Mobile Food Facility Permit

    Allegheny County Health Department · $300.00 · renews every year

  3. 3. Commissary Permit

    Allegheny County Health Department · fee varies · renews every year

  4. 4. Commissary Rent (monthly)

    Commissary kitchen · $400.00 · renews every month

Things to know in Pittsburgh

  • · Three separate approvals from two agencies: a City of Pittsburgh Mobile Vendor License, an Allegheny County Health Department Mobile Food Facility permit (~$300-$600/yr), and a separate ACHD commissary permit.
  • · This is tracked separately from the general Pennsylvania entry — Pittsburgh's county layer is its own process.
  • · Commissary space typically runs $400-$700 per month.
  • · Sales tax in Allegheny County is 7%.

Costs are planning ranges compiled from published fee schedules — not quotes. Fees, categories and timelines change, so verify locally with the issuing agency before you budget or apply.

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