Permits & Resources
Official starting points only — no legal advice, no shortcuts, no guarantees
Read this first: licensing depends on what you sell, how you sell it, and where. These links go to official government pages. We do not give legal advice and cannot guarantee any permit outcome. When in doubt, call the health department — they answer these questions every day.
Philadelphia & Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia: food establishment license — retail, non-permanent location (food trucks, carts, temporary vending)
- Philadelphia: all food business licenses
- Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture — food safety (includes limited food establishments / home-based processing)
New Jersey
- NJ Department of Health — retail food program
- NJ cottage food operator permits
- Local licensing for mobile vendors runs through your county or municipal health department — start with the county where your truck or kitchen is based.
Maryland & Baltimore
- Maryland COMAR 10.15.03 — food service facilities (includes mobile units)
- Maryland Department of Health — Office of Food Protection
- Baltimore City Health Department
Federal basics
- IRS — free EIN application (never pay a third party for an EIN)
- FDA — food guidance & regulation (packaged/interstate products)
- SBA — licenses and permits guide
The order of operations most new food businesses follow
- Decide the business structure and register it (state + IRS EIN — both can be done free).
- Talk to the health department before signing anything, and ask exactly which license your model needs.
- Line up your licensed kitchen or commissary — that's what the directory is for.
- Complete food-safety training if your jurisdiction requires a certified person.
- Apply, get inspected, and keep every approval document in one folder.
Requirements change and vary by product. This page is a map, not a rulebook — the health department has the rulebook.