How to Start a Food Truck in New Hampshire (2026)

Last updated: February 26, 2026

Starting a food truck in New Hampshire requires a state mobile food unit license from the NH Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), plus local permits from each city or town where you operate. New Hampshire has no general sales tax, but food truck operators selling prepared food are subject to the state’s 8.5% Rooms and Meals Tax. The good news: the state licensing process is managed centrally through DHHS, making New Hampshire more streamlined than many states with county-by-county health departments.

Food Truck Requirements in New Hampshire at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
Mobile Food Unit (MFU) license	NH DHHS – Food Protection	Varies by license class (inquire with DHHS)	Before operating; annual renewal
Floor plan review (new/modified unit)	NH DHHS – Food Protection	$75	Before initial license; one-time
LLC formation	NH Secretary of State	$100-$102	1-3 business days
Annual LLC report	NH Secretary of State	$100/year (due April 1)	Annual
Rooms and Meals Tax registration	NH Dept of Revenue Administration	Free to register	Before first sale of prepared food
Local food truck permit (city/town)	City or town clerk / health dept	Varies ($25-$200+ per municipality)	Before operating in each location
Fire safety inspection (some cities)	Local fire department or fire marshal	Varies ($0-$100+)	Before operating in that location
Hawkers and Peddlers permit (some cities)	City clerk	Varies by city	Before operating in that location
Food handler certification	Accredited program (ServSafe, etc.)	$15-$30 per person	Recommended; may be required locally
General liability insurance	Private carrier	$1,200-$2,500/year	Before operating

How to Start a Food Truck in New Hampshire (Step by Step)

Step 1: Form Your Business Entity

Register your food truck business as an LLC through the NH Secretary of State QuickStart system at quickstart.sos.nh.gov. Formation fee: $100 (mail) or $102 (online). Annual report: $100, due April 1 each year.

An LLC is strongly recommended for food truck operators. Food allergies, foodborne illness, slip-and-falls at your truck, and equipment accidents are all real liability risks. The LLC protects your personal savings, home, and vehicle from business lawsuits.

Step 2: Build or Purchase a Compliant Mobile Food Unit

Your food truck must meet NH DHHS requirements for mobile food establishments. Key standards include:

• Commercial-grade food contact surfaces (stainless steel)
• NSF-certified cooking and refrigeration equipment
• Three-compartment sink (wash, rinse, sanitize)
• Handwashing station with hot and cold running water
• Adequate mechanical ventilation with Type I or Type II hood over cooking equipment
• Fresh water tank and waste water tank (waste must be 15% larger than fresh tank)
• Temperature control for cold foods (41°F or below) and hot foods (135°F or above)

New units and significantly modified units require a floor plan review by DHHS before licensing. Fee: $75. Submit your floor plan showing equipment layout, plumbing, and ventilation systems. More info at dhhs.nh.gov – Apply for a New License.

Step 3: Apply for Your NH DHHS Mobile Food Unit License

The NH Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Food Protection Section is the primary licensing authority for food trucks in New Hampshire. The state manages food establishment licensing centrally – unlike many states with 10+ county health departments, you work primarily with one agency for the state license.

• Download and complete the Application for Annual Mobile Food Unit License
• The license is annual and must be renewed each year
• An inspection will be conducted before the license is issued
• Contact DHHS Food Protection for current fee schedules (fees are class-based and set by rule)
• Main website: dhhs.nh.gov – Food Establishments
• Apply for license changes: dhhs.nh.gov – Apply or Change Existing License

Step 4: Register for the Rooms and Meals Tax

New Hampshire has no general sales tax, but food trucks selling prepared food are subject to the state’s 8.5% Rooms and Meals Tax. This applies to food sold ready-to-eat at restaurants, food trucks, and other food service establishments.

• Register with the NH Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) before making your first sale
• Registration is free at revenue.nh.gov
• File and remit the tax monthly or quarterly depending on your revenue
• You must display your license number on your truck

Step 5: Obtain Local Permits for Each City or Town

Beyond the state DHHS license, each city or town where you operate may require its own permits. Requirements vary significantly by municipality. Always contact the city or town before parking in a new location.

Example – Nashua, NH: To operate a mobile food unit in Nashua, you need:

1. A Mobile Food Service License from the Nashua Environmental Health Department
2. A Hawkers and Peddlers Permit from the City Clerk’s Office
3. A fire safety inspection from the Nashua Fire Marshal’s Office

Other larger NH cities (Manchester, Concord, Dover, Portsmouth) have similar multi-permit requirements. Smaller towns may only require notification or a simple permit. Budget extra lead time – especially for summer events and festivals – as some permit offices have long queues.

Step 6: Pass Fire Safety Inspections

Fire safety inspections are required by most NH municipalities before you can operate. The fire marshal or fire inspector checks:

• Fire suppression system (Ansul or equivalent) over cooking equipment – required if you use open flames
• CO2 portable fire extinguisher (Class K for cooking fires)
• Propane/gas connections and shutoffs
• Proper ventilation and exhaust
• Emergency egress

Schedule inspections well in advance – fire departments in NH can be booked 2-4 weeks out during summer festival season. Some inspectors require the truck to be fully operational with all equipment installed before they will inspect.

Step 7: Certify Your Food Handlers

NH state law does not mandate a specific food handler card for all employees, but it is strongly recommended and increasingly required by event venues and commercial clients:

• ServSafe Food Handler: $15-$30 per person; covers basic food safety. Available online.
• ServSafe Food Manager: $150-$180 including proctored exam; required by some institutional clients and larger event venues.
• Your DHHS-licensed food establishment must maintain records of employee food safety training.

Cost to Start a Food Truck in New Hampshire

Item	Cost	Notes
LLC formation (Secretary of State)	$100-$102	One-time
Annual LLC report	$100/year	Due April 1
DHHS floor plan review	$75	One-time; new or modified units
DHHS Mobile Food Unit license	Contact DHHS for current fee	Annual
Rooms and Meals Tax registration	Free	9% tax collected from customers
Local municipal permits (per city)	$25-$200+ each	Varies by municipality; annual
Fire safety inspection	$0-$100+	Varies by municipality
ServSafe certification (per person)	$15-$180	Food handler or manager level
General liability insurance	$1,200-$2,500/year	Annual; required by many venues
Food truck (used)	$20,000-$60,000	New trucks: $75,000-$150,000+
Initial food inventory and supplies	$500-$2,000	Startup only
Year 1 Total (excluding truck purchase)	~$3,500-$7,000	Licensing + insurance + supplies

Estimated total startup cost: $25,000-$70,000+ (including used truck) or $80,000-$160,000+ (new truck build)

Related New Hampshire Business Guides

• How to Start a Cleaning Service in New Hampshire
• How to Start a Daycare in New Hampshire
• How to Start an HVAC Business in New Hampshire
• How to Start a Hair Salon in New Hampshire
• How to Start a Landscaping Business in New Hampshire
• How to Become a Private Investigator in New Hampshire

← Back to all New Hampshire business guides

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need to operate a food truck in New Hampshire?

You need an Annual Mobile Food Unit (MFU) license from the NH Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Food Protection Section. New or significantly modified trucks also need a $75 floor plan review before the license is issued. Beyond the state license, each city or town where you park may require its own local permits – a hawkers and peddlers permit, a local food service license, and/or a fire safety inspection.

Does a food truck pay sales tax in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire has no general sales tax. However, food trucks selling prepared food must collect and remit the state’s 8.5% Rooms and Meals Tax. Register with the NH Department of Revenue Administration at revenue.nh.gov before making your first sale. The 9% applies to all prepared food sold ready-to-eat, whether at a sit-down restaurant or a food truck.

Do I need separate permits for every city I operate in?

Yes. Each NH municipality manages its own food truck permitting independently. In Nashua for example, you need a mobile food service license, a hawkers and peddlers permit, and a fire safety inspection – three separate items from three separate offices. Always contact the city or town clerk and health department before parking in a new location. Plan for 2-4 weeks lead time in busy summer months.

Do I need a fire suppression system in my food truck?

Most NH municipalities require a fire suppression system (such as an Ansul system) above open-flame cooking equipment. Even if a particular town does not require it, a suppression system is highly recommended for safety and to protect your investment. Fire safety inspections will check for a properly serviced suppression system, a Class K fire extinguisher, and proper propane/gas connections.