Mobile Food Vendors & Food Trucks

The 2018 International Fire Code (IFC), adopted as the South Carolina Fire Code, includes regulations for mobile food vendors and has been mandated for statewide adoption on January 1, 2020.  A Mobile Food Vendor Information Bulletin and Self-Inspection has been created to assist you with achieving and maintaining compliance with some of the common issues impacting mobile vendors.  

Some of the significant changes contained within the latest edition of the code include:

• Operations that produce grease-laden vapors will require the installation of an exhaust hood that is protected by an automatic fire extinguishing system.
• LP- gas alarms will be required in vehicles near LP-gas components.
• Fuel gas systems shall be inspected annually by an approved inspection agency. Once the inspection takes place and passed, a sticker must be placed on the gas system indicating the name of the inspection agency and the date the satisfactory inspection took place.

Safety is our number one priority.  The program is intended to eliminate basic fire hazards while educating our vendors, promoting a safe community, and reduce the potential of business interruption from a preventable hazard. Additional safety information can be found from the National Fire Protection Association on the NFPA Food Truck Fact Sheet.

Interested vendors should complete the Mobile Food Vendor Application and attach all of the requested documentation.  Our goal is to process the application within approximately 6 business days and then schedule your inspection.    Interested vendors must have or obtain a current City Business License.

Upon successful inspection an operational permit sticker will be affixed to the vehicle by the inspector and must remain visible.  Additionally, the vendor must acquire and post their City Business License (CBL) and maintain the documentation outlined on the application during all hours of operation.

Operational Permit

The Mobile Food Vendor operational permit is intended to assist the vendor in conducting a safe operation while achieving compliance with the International Fire Code.  Inspections will be conducted as part of the initial Mobile Food Vendor operational permit application and then each year the vendor continues their permit.  A new operational permit application and permit is required for each 12-month period of operation.  Permitted vehicles are subject to inspection at any time the vehicle is operating.  

 Permit Renewal

Operational permits will be issued every 12 months and may be revoked prior to the expiration date.  It is the responsibility of the mobile food truck operator to renew the permit.  

The City of Charleston does not endorse or recommend any specific Mobile Food Vendor, this list is provided to assist with identifying which Mobile Food Vendors have  completed the permit process.  The City of Charleston does not make any recommendations, expressed or implied, regarding any specific vendor. 

• Town Hall meeting November 16, 2020