Food Trucks Drive Closer to Streamlined Permit/Licensing Process in Connecticut

Connecticut, known as the Land of Steady Habits, where 169 towns much prefer to call their own shots when it comes to regulations on just about everything, may be breaking down one option to economic development and consumer convenience.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health has announced a cooperative, “first-in-Connecticut” policy of reciprocal permits and licenses for food trucks across the state, technically known as itinerant food vendors.

Permit reciprocity is intended to streamline a permit/licensing process that can be onerous to merchants and regulators alike, DPH officials point out: one where food trucks need to apply for and obtain licenses or permits from each local health agency in which they plan to prepare, offer, and/or serve food, even if only for a few hours or a day.

“This reciprocal agreement will allow food trucks licensed by one of the participating local health agencies to forgo the license/permit fee in other participating jurisdictions for their routine itinerant food vending,” said DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD. “DPH has partnered with local health directors and industry representatives to develop this streamlined process.”

Commissioner Juthani added that a statewide database has been developed which allows local health officials to access permit information and inspection records of itinerant food vendors from other participating local health agencies.

DPH has established a webpage for food truck owners that includes information on the participating local health agencies and what food truck operators need to do prior to selling food in a town outside of the jurisdiction of the health department that originally permitted and inspected the truck’s food service operation.

As the website map indicates, Eastern Connecticut communities appear to be leading the way in the reciprocal endeavor, with nearly every community participating.  In the remainder of the state, thus far, the number of communities is considerably less robust. 

“Local health agencies who choose to participate in the reciprocal licensing agreement will work with their boards or chief elected officials to sign onto a Memorandum of Understanding that defines their roles and responsibilities,” Commissioner Juthani said.  The 4-page MOU appears on the new website. 

Central to the agreement is the stipulation that reciprocal licensing allowing food trucks to prepare, offer or serve food in any of the participating jurisdictions applies to Health permits and licenses only, and the itinerant food vendor still needs all other local permits required by the town, such as parking, fire, and zoning. Local health agencies will retain the right to conduct inspections at their discretion.

Officials also point out that the agreement does not change any permitting or other approval requirements for temporary food service establishments, such as when a food truck is operating at a fixed location at an event such as a carnival, circus, public exhibition, festival, celebration, or similar transitory gathering.

“There is a FAQ page for merchants and local health officials to assist in applying this new process. We expect this project will grow and that more local health departments and districts will participate in the near future,” Commissioner Juthani said.