Last reviewed Oct 2026 against the official sources below. Rules and fees change, so check with your local office before you act. This is general information, not legal advice.
In South Carolina, a food truck needs a Retail Food Establishment Permit from the SC Department of Agriculture (SCDA) before it sells food, plus a Mobile Food Establishment Supplemental form that ties the truck to its commissary. Then you need a business license from each city or county where you sell, and any local zoning, fire and event permits they require.
Who issues food truck permits in South Carolina?
Retail food permits in South Carolina come from the SC Department of Agriculture’s Retail Food Safety program. SCDA says a Retail Food Establishment Permit “must be obtained from SCDA prior to selling food products retail,” and it lists mobile food establishments, their commissaries and mobile units among the operations it permits under Regulation 61-25.
You may still see older city forms that ask for a “DHEC approval letter.” Retail food permitting now runs through SCDA, so start there and ask your city which document it accepts.
SCDA Retail Food Safety: 350 Ballard Court, West Columbia, SC 29172 · retailfood@scda.sc.gov · 803-896-0640 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm).
Step 1: Apply for the SCDA retail food permit
Apply with SCDA’s online retail food registration. Before you apply, read SCDA’s Quick Guide for Planning a Retail Food Establishment. It walks through what inspectors look for, from equipment to water and sinks.
- Fees: SCDA publishes its annual inspection fees in a fee schedule (PDF). Check the current schedule rather than relying on a number you read elsewhere. SCDA’s page says online payments take Visa, Mastercard or Discover with a 2.75% processing fee, and it does not accept American Express or cash.
- Special processes: If you plan to sous vide, ferment or use another special process, mark it on the application. SCDA has a separate request form for this.
- Retail and wholesale: If you will also sell wholesale, SCDA asks you to email RVCregistration@scda.sc.gov before applying.
Step 2: Line up a commissary and file the mobile supplemental
SCDA treats a mobile food establishment as the commissary plus the truck or pushcart. The Mobile Food Establishment Supplemental (CPD Form #2206) documents that relationship, and SCDA requires it for new and existing operations. Both the commissary and the truck owner sign it.
The form asks you to:
- Check which commissary services the truck will use: cooking equipment, food prep sink, warewashing, drinking water, wastewater disposal, refuse disposal and a servicing area.
- List designated storage at the commissary, such as cooler, freezer, dry storage and single-service items.
- Give a day-and-time schedule for when the truck will use the commissary.
If the truck will not be parked at its commissary, you also need to submit a Request for an Operational Variance (CPD Form #2113). The supplemental is not transferable, and SCDA must be told “immediately” if ownership changes or the commissary relationship changes or ends.
Step 3: Get a business license where you sell
The state permit covers food safety. It does not give you the right to sell in a particular town. SC Business One Stop’s mobile food guide lists city and county business licenses for mobile food. It also tells operators to “contact the city, town, and county to see if you can operate the business in your chosen location.”
In practice that means a business license from each city where you park and, outside city limits, the county. Many cities add a zoning or temporary-use permit, a fire inspection, and written permission from the property owner. Columbia is a good example. Our Columbia and Richland County guide covers its rules in detail.
Selling at a festival? SCBOS notes that special event licenses are usually issued by the county, city or town where the event takes place. SCDA also publishes a guide for temporary food establishments.
Step 4: Taxes, vehicle registration and inspections
- Sales tax: Register with the SC Department of Revenue to collect sales tax. Ask your city or county whether a local hospitality tax applies to prepared food.
- Vehicle: The City of Columbia says all licensed food trucks must be registered with the SC Department of Motor Vehicles. Other cities may ask for the same proof.
- Fire safety: Some cities require a fire inspection before they issue a license. In Columbia it is done by appointment at your commissary.
- Inspection grades: Customers can look up inspection results on SC Food Grades.
Quick checklist
| What | Who issues it |
|---|---|
| Retail Food Establishment Permit | SCDA Retail Food Safety |
| Mobile Food Establishment Supplemental (commissary) | SCDA, signed by you and your commissary |
| Operational variance (if the truck is stored off-site) | SCDA |
| Business license | Each city, or the county outside city limits (SC Business One Stop) |
| Zoning or temporary-use permit, fire inspection | Your city or county |
| Sales tax registration | SC Department of Revenue |
After you are permitted
Once your permits are in place, list your truck on Fork & Curb so people can find you. Post live stops, take orders ahead and accept catering requests. Search for your truck in the South Carolina food truck directory and create your free business account, or start a new seller profile.
Sources we checked
- SCDA Retail Food Safety
- SCDA retail food online registration
- SCDA Mobile Food Establishment Supplemental (CPD Form #2206)
- SCDA annual inspection fees (PDF)
- SCDA Quick Guide for Planning a Retail Food Establishment
- SC Business One Stop: Mobile food licensing
- City of Columbia Business Licensing: Food trucks
- SC Food Grades
Checked Oct 2026. Found something out of date? Email support@forkandcurb.com.
Frequently asked questions
Who issues food truck permits in South Carolina?
The SC Department of Agriculture (SCDA) Retail Food Safety program issues Retail Food Establishment Permits, including for mobile food establishments and their commissaries. Cities and counties issue business licenses and local zoning permits.
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in South Carolina?
Yes. SCDA treats a mobile food establishment as the commissary plus the mobile unit, and the Mobile Food Establishment Supplemental form documents which commissary services the truck uses and when. If the truck is not stored at the commissary, you must request an operational variance.
How much is a food truck permit in South Carolina?
SCDA publishes its annual inspection fees in a fee schedule on its Retail Food Safety page. City and county business license fees are separate and vary by location, so check with each office.
Can I sell anywhere in South Carolina with my SCDA permit?
No. The SCDA permit covers food safety. You also need a business license and any zoning, fire or event permits from each city or county where you sell, plus permission from the property owner.