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Mobile Food Vendors & Food Trucks
Mobile food vendors have grown in popularity and have become a routine attraction at special events and local venues. Our goal is to ensure these operations are conducted in a safe manner to help ensure the continued operation of the business while reducing potential hazards that may threaten public safety. Routine inspections will be conducted for mobile food vendors to identify and eliminate basic fire hazards, educate vendors on potential hazards, while promoting a safe and livable community.
A new process was implemented on January 1st, 2020, and will replace the previous Certificate of Operation that required a vendor to receive an inspection at each location of operation and will simplify the inspection process. This permit does not replace the vendors obligation to obtain a City Business License or coordinate with or comply with Zoning requirements.
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.
| Mobile Food Vendor | Status | Inspection Date | Expiration Date |
| 3 Matadors Taco Vault | Approved | 5/20/2022 | 5/20/2023 |
| And Lobster | Approved | 6/2/2022 | 6/2/2023 |
| Baked To A T | Approved | 5/20/2022 | 5/20/2023 |
| Bangin Vegan Eats | Approved | 5/17/2022 | 5/17/2023 |
| Barista Bear Coffee | Approved | 7/22/2022 | 7/22/2023 |
| Bert and T's Desserts | Approved | 7/16/2022 | 7/16/2023 |
| BG Eats | Approved | 9/1/2022 | 9/1/2023 |
| Big Al's | Approved | 9/21/2022 | 9/21/2023 |
| Big Boned BBQ | Applied - Pending | ||
| Big Tent Pizza | Approved | 6/13/2022 | 6/13/2023 |
| Bit’s N Bites | Approved | 8/10/2022 | 8/10/2023 |
| Black Out Burger | Blackout Burger | 2/27/2023 | 2/27/2024 |
| Booze Pops | Approved | 9/20/2022 | 9/20/2023 |
| Bottleneck Coffee | Approved | 6/30/2022 | 6/30/2023 |
| BPS Foods | Approved | 7/28/2022 | 7/28/2023 |
| Braised & Glazed | Approved | 12/13/2022 | 12/13/2023 |
| Braised In The South | Approved | 3/10/2022 | 3/10/2023 |
| Buckshot's2 Go | Approved | 2/13/2023 | 2/13/2024 |
| Buena Compania Empanadilla | Applied - Pending | ||
| Caribbean Fresh | Approved | 6/7/2022 | 6/7/2023 |
| Cast Iron Food Truck | Approved | 12/13/2022 | 12/13/2023 |
| Chanel's Gullah Cuisine | Applied - Pending | ||
| Charcuterie Happy Board | Approved | 11/22/2022 | 11/22/2023 |
| Charleston Lemonade | Approved | 6/9/2022 | 6/9/2023 |
| Charleston Riverdogs Food Truck | Approved | 6/21/2022 | 6/21/2023 |
| Charleston Sports Pub Food Truck | Applied - Pending | 12/8/2020 | |
| Charlestowne Kettle Corn | Approved | 2/17/2022 | 2/17/2023 |
| Chi - Town Chow | Approved | 3/13/2023 | 3/13/2024 |
| Chick-Fil-A | Approved | 5/31/2022 | 5/31/2023 |
| Chow Bella | Approved | 3/30/2022 | 3/30/2023 |
| Chucktown Chili and Chips | Approved | 3/16/2023 | 3/16/2024 |
| Chucktown Mobile Seafood | Approved | 8/26/2022 | 8/26/2023 |
| Ciaburri’s Mexican Flavors | Applied - Pending | ||
| Ciderhouse Pie Shop | Approved | 7/19/2022 | 7/19/2023 |
| Cinnabon | Approved | 9/9/2022 | 9/9/2023 |
| City Sliders | Approved | 9/22/2022 | 9/22/2023 |
| Crystal Coast Seafood | Approved | 4/26/2022 | 4/26/2023 |
| D.H. Snacker Gourmet | Approved | 5/12/2022 | 5/12/2023 |
| Da Hotbox Burger & Brats | Apprvoed | 2/9/2023 | 2/9/2024 |
| Da Bombz Food Truck | Applied - Pending | ||
| Dizzy Lamb | Approved | 6/7/2022 | 6/7/2023 |
| Don Sazon | Applied - Pending | ||
| Donut Daddy | Approved | 10/5/2022 | 10/5/2023 |
| Duck Truck | Approved | 8/26/2022 | 8/26/2023 |
| Dupree Catering | Approved | 5/20/2022 | 5/20/2023 |
| East Coast Chimney Cakes | Applied - Pending | ||
| El Kiosko Mexican Cuisine | Approved | 6/21/2022 | 6/21/2023 |
| Empanada Cuisines | Approved | 9/14/2022 | 9/14/2023 |
| Fab Sliders | Approved | 6/17/2022 | 6/17/2023 |
| Famously Frozen | Approved | 6/28/2022 | 6/28/2023 |
| Fed Up Truck | Approved | 11/2/2022 | 11/2/2023 |
| First Name Basis | Approved | 6/13/2022 | 6/13/2023 |
| Fleet on the Fly | Approved | 6/30/2022 | 6/30/2023 |
| Foxes Fried | Approved | 11/18/2022 | 11/18/2023 |
| Fruit Snow | Approved | 6/17/2022 | 6/17/2023 |
| Girl Next Dough | Approved | 9/20/2022 | 9/20/2023 |
| Gobble Gobble | Approved | 4/6/2022 | 4/6/2023 |
| Gorditas Locas | Approved | 8/4/2022 | 8/4/2023 |
| Grateful Dawgs | Approved | 11/4/2022 | 11/4/2023 |
| Hamby Catering | Approved | 2/14/2023 | 2/14/2024 |
| Happy Thai | Approved | 3/4/2022 | 3/4/2023 |
| Harlembest | Approved | 6/8/2022 | 6/8/2023 |
| Heavenly Cheesecakes by Tony | Applied-Pending | ||
| Hello Bar Services | Approved | 6/6/2022 | 6/6/2023 |
| Hero Doughnuts & Buns | Approved | 9/1/2022 | 9/1/2023 |
| Holy City Cupcakes | Approved | 01/26/2023 | 01/26/2024 |
| Holy City Homemade Italian Ice | Approved | 4/15/2022 | 4/15/2023 |
| Holy City Hot Dogs | Approved | 2/10/2023 | 2/10/2024 |
| Holy Rolly | Approved | 3/21/2022 | 3/21/2023 |
| Home Team BBQ | Approved | 2/17/2022 | 2/17/2023 |
| H & P Coffee | Approved | 10/20/2022 | 10/20/2023 |
| Icy Mike's | Applied - Pending | ||
| Ice Cream Team | Approved | 7/22/2022 | 7/22/2023 |
| JMAC'S Cheesesteaks Burgers & More | Approved | 8/8/2022 | 8/8/2023 |
| Johnny Focaccia | Approved | 10/31/2022 | 10/31/2023 |
| Just Eat This | Approved | 5/23/2022 | 5/23/2023 |
| Kapusta | Approved | 8/26/2022 | 8/26/2023 |
| Kees Kitchen | Approved | 1/9/2023 | 1/9/2024 |
| King of Pops | Approved | 3/2/23 | 3/2/2024 |
| Kitchen 27 | Approved | 10/14/2022 | 10/14/2023 |
| King of Swarma | Approved | 4/26/2022 | 4/26/2023 |
| Kona Ice Charleston | Approved | 4/25/2022 | 4/25/2023 |
| Krystyna’s Authentic Polish Food | Approved | 4/15/2022 | 4/15/2023 |
| La’ Son Anchor Grill | Approved | 9/7/2022 | 9/7/2023 |
| Lib's Diner | Approved | 8/5/2022 | 8/5/2023 |
| Life Raft Treats | Approved | 9/27/2022 | 9/27/2023 |
| Lola’s Lumpia | Approved | 9/14/2022 | 9/14/2023 |
| Lowcountry Lemonade | Approved | 10/6/2022 | 10/6/2023 |
| Madrigal’s Tacos | Approved | 3/28/2023 | 3/28/2024 |
| Mana Mobile | Approved | 7/16/2022 | 7/16/2023 |
| Mazyck's Grille | Approved | 9/1/2022 | 9/1/2023 |
| Mex 1 | Approved | 10/24/2022 | 10/24/2023 |
| Mike's Chicken Salad | Approved | 3/16/2022 | 3/16/2023 |
| Miller's All Day | Approved | 2/9/2023 | 2/9/2024 |
| Miss Katie's Sweets | Approved | 5/12/2022 | 5/12/2023 |
| MJ's Rollin BBQ & Seafood Express | Approved | 8/9/2022 | 8/9/2023 |
| Mr. Narwahl's Magnificent Snoballs | Approved | 3/25/2022 | 3/25/2023 |
| My Big Fat Greek Trailer | Approved | 10/4/2022 | 10/4/2023 |
| Nana's Got Nut's | Approved | 7/1/2022 | 7/1/2023 |
| Nanas Seafood & Soul | Approved | 6/30/3033 | 6/30/2023 |
| New Dog | Approved | 5/25/2022 | 5/25/2023 |
| Nothin But Chicken | Approved | 11/17/2022 | 11/17/2023 |
| Oh Yah BBQ | Approved | 7/15/2022 | 7/15/2023 |
| P & S New Jersey Style Cheese Steak Subs | Approved | 5/6/2022 | 5/6/2023 |
| Page’s Food Truck | Applied - Pending | ||
| Panda Palace | Approved | 9/1/2022 | 9/1/2023 |
| Pizza A Modo Mio | Approved | 3/30/2022 | 3/30/2023 |
| Pizza da Michelino | Approved | 11/30/2022 | 11/30/2023 |
| Playa Bowls | Approved | 7/15/2022 | 7/15/2023 |
| Quan's BBQ | Approved | 6/15/2022 | 6/15/2023 |
| Rebel Taqueria | Approved | 10/20/2022 | 10/20/2023 |
| Rebellious Wingz and Thangz | Approved | 1/18/2022 | 1/18/2023 |
| Rikiquito Gourmet | Approved | 5/12/2022 | 5/12/2023 |
| Rog Pizzeria | Approved | 7/22/2022 | 7/22/2023 |
| Roti Rolls | Approved | 7/14/2022 | 7/14/2023 |
| S & S Seafood | Approved | 4/7/2022 | 4/7/2023 |
| Saber Pizza | Approved | 3/2/2022 | 3/2/2023 |
| Scoop 50Fifty | Approved | 5/20/2022 | 5/20/2023 |
| Scotch Bonnet | Approved | 10/14/2022 | 10/14/2023 |
| Sea Island Geechee Kitchen | Approved | 11/9/2022 | 11/9/2023 |
| Seaside Healthy Life | Approved | 1/11/2023 | 1/11/2024 |
| Sevy Sliders | Approved | 6/1/2022 | 6/1/2023 |
| Shaka Shrimp Truck | Approved | 11/14/2022 | 11/14/2023 |
| Shots and Vin | Approved | 10/20/2022 | 10/20/2023 |
| Smash City Burgers | Approved | 1/25/2022 | 1/25/2023 |
| Smokin' Gringo's BBQ | Approved | 4/21/2023 | 4/21/2023 |
| SnoBar | Approved | 5/17/2022 | 5/17/2023 |
| Sombrero Wok | Approved | 3/30/2022 | 3/30/2023 |
| Some Mo Tea | Approved | 11/15/2022 | 11/15/2023 |
| Sub Zero Italian Ice | Approved | 9/1/2022 | 9/1/2023 |
| Southern Roots Smokehouse | Approved | 5/20/2022 | 5/20/2023 |
| Sweet Manna Creations | Approved | 7/11/2022 | 7/11/2023 |
| Sweetgrass Foodz | Approved | 3/16/2023 | 3/16/2024 |
| Tamashii | Approved | 7/21/2022 | 7/21/2023 |
| Tarte Sweetery | Approved | 1/11/2023 | 1/11/2024 |
| Taste and See | Approved | 9/1/2022 | 9/1/2023 |
| Taste of the Islands | Approved | 10/14/2022 | 10/14/2023 |
| The Caterer | Applied- Pending | 2/18/2023 | |
| The Fried Green Banana | Approved | 11/14/2022 | 11/14/2023 |
| The Immortal Lobster | Approved | 8/4/2022 | 8/4/2023 |
| The Junction Kitchen | Approved | 3/14/2023 | 03/14/2024 |
| The Lemonade Twins | Approved | 7/16/2022 | 7/16/2023 |
| The Lost Boys | Approved | 4/21/2022 | 4/21/2023 |
| The Motley Chew | Approved | 9/6/2022 | 9/6/2023 |
| The Salty Shrimp | Approved | 9/22/2022 | 9/22/2023 |
| The Pita Stroller | Approved | 8/10/2022 | 8/10/2023 |
| The Stone Soup Collective - Lucky Pig | Approved | 11/7/2022 | 11/7/2023 |
| The Sugary Unicorn | Applied - Pending | ||
| The Wedge | Approved | 3/24/2023 | 3/24/2024 |
| Tikiz Shaved Ice & Ice Cream | Approved | 6/1/2022 | 6/1/2023 |
| Trinity Taste of Trinidad | Approved | 10/14/2022 | 10/14/2023 |
| True Lowcountry | Approved | 4/28/2022 | 4/28/2023 |
| Uncle Louie G Italian Ices & Ice Cream | Approved | 6/22/2022 | 6/22/2023 |
| Venetown | Approved | 8/26/2022 | 8/26/2023 |
| Verde | Approved | 6/17/2022 | 6/17/2023 |
| Vibrant Alkaline Vegan Eats | Approved | 10/07/2022 | 10/07/2023 |
| Viscious Biscuit | Approved | 6/24/2022 | 6/24/2023 |
| Victor’s Lab | Approved | 8/22/2022 | 8/22/2023 |
| Wabi Sabi | Approved | 7/8/2022 | 7/8/2023 |
| Wally Gyro’s | Approved | 9/6/2022 | 9/6/2023 |
| Weltons Fine Foods | Approved | 3/30/2022 | 3/30/2023 |
| Wich Cream | Approved | 8/4/2022 | 8/4/2023 |
| Wicked Waffles | Approved | 3/30/2022 | 3/30/2023 |
| Xperience Kulture | Approved | 5/6/2022 | 5/6/2023 |