Do food trucks need a commissary kitchen?
In most US jurisdictions, yes — food trucks and other mobile food units are required by the local health department to operate from an approved commissary (also called a central preparation facility). You usually can't get or renew your permit without one. Here's what that means and how to find a commissary near you.
Why the commissary requirement exists
Health codes generally require mobile food units to have a fixed, permitted base of operations where the truck can be cleaned and serviced, water tanks filled and grey water dumped, food stored at safe temperatures, and prep done in an inspected commercial kitchen. Many counties require a signed commissary agreement at initial permitting and again at every renewal.
What a commissary provides
- An approved, inspected commercial kitchen for prep and cooking
- Cold and dry storage for ingredients and supplies
- A servicing area — potable water fill, grey-water disposal, truck cleaning
- Often: overnight or 24/7 access, and on-site food-truck parking
Rules vary by state and county
The exact requirement is set locally, and some counties publish an official list of approved commissaries. A few states are shifting mobile-food permitting to the state level. Always confirm the current rule with the health department where you'll operate — but plan on needing a commissary agreement almost everywhere.
What to look for in a commissary
- Health-department approved for your county (on the approved list where one exists)
- Food-truck parking & servicing if you need to store the truck and dump grey water
- Hours that fit your schedule — many trucks prep early or late, so 24/7 access matters
- Rate structure — hourly vs monthly, and the minimum commitment
Find a commissary kitchen near you
We track 92 commercial and commissary kitchens across 34 states — with health-dept approval, rates, storage, and food-truck parking noted where published:
This is general information, not legal advice — requirements are set by your local health department. Confirm the rules where you plan to operate.