Licensing a Hot Dog Cart In Florida

Florida Licensing & Commissary Info

Figuring out everything that you will need to begin operating your mobile food vending unit can be a daunting task.  There is a lot of information to absorb, so we have compiled this short guide as a reference tool.  Keep in mind that this addresses only the State of Florida requirements for the Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR): Division of Hotels & Restaurants.  This guide does not cover information regarding setting up your complete Florida business structure such as: obtaining a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN), Florida State sales tax identification number, setting up a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or a Florida Corporation (INC). There are many resources that are available to help assist you in these areas such as a tax consultant, CPA or a business lawyer.

Once you have taken drawings to your local health department and they have told you that your cart or mobile kitchen will meet the state requirements, it is time to start thinking about getting your "Florida State Food Service License".  This can be completed while your cart is still in production.  Since the Florida State paperwork takes approximately 30 days to process, it is beneficial to begin as soon as possible.

The first thing you will need to do is become a member of a licensed commercial commissary.  In the state of Florida the general rule is that your commissary must be within one and one half hours driving distance from the location in which you operate your hot dog cart.  This is an important first step, because you will need to provide proof of commissary membership when submitting your cart to "Plan Review".

If you are purchasing a new cart or a used cart that has not been licensed in Florida within the last 12 months, you will need to submit physical drawings along with your application and complete a process called "Plan Review".  This documents the specifications of your cart for the state to review and possibly ask questions if they have any. Basically, this consists of what type of vending unit you have, what appliances and water system the unit is equipped with, drawings and pictures as well as your proposed menu. There is a one-time $150.00 fee that is required to submit your plans to "Plan Review". This fee is paid directly to the DBPR.

Next is your license application.  This is where the expenses can be somewhat confusing.  The State of Florida has 7 separate districts for licensing, and each district has a different cycle.  You have the option of paying for a full year or a half year when you apply for your license, depending on which makes the most fiscal sense given where you are in your license cycle.  The license cycles are chosen by legislation, and they do not prorate.  A full year?s license is $397.00 and a half-year is $228.50.  This fee is also paid directly to the DBPR.  Please see below to determine your district.

DISTRICT 1. DORAL FL,(Miami area) DADE, MONROE
- Full Year: Starts and ends 10/01.  Half year starts 04/01 and ends 10/01.

DISTRICT 2. BROWARD, MARTIN, PALM BEACH
- Full year starts and ends 12/01. Half year starts 06/01 and ends 12/01.

DISTRICT 3.  CITRUS, HERNANDO, HILLSBOROUGH, PASCO, PINELLAS, POLK, SUMTER
- Full year starts and ends 02/01. Half year starts 08/01 and ends 02/01.

DISTRICT 4. BREVARD, INDIAN RIVER, LAKE, ORANGE, OSCEOLA, ST. LUCIE, SEMINOLE, VOLUSIA
- Full year starts and ends 04/01. Half year starts 10/01 and ends 04/01.

DISTRICT 5. ALACHUA, BAKER, BRADFORD, CLAY, COLUMBIA, DIXIE, DUVALL, FLAGLER, GILCRIST, HAMILTON, LAFAYETTE, LEVY, MARION, NASSAU, PUTNAM, ST. JOHNS, SUWANEE, UNION
- Full year starts and ends 06/01. Half year starts 12/01 and ends 06/01.

DISTRICT 6. BAY, CALHOUN, ESCAMBIA, FRANKLIN, GADSDEN, GULF, HOLMES, JACKSON, JEFFERSON, LEON, LIBERTY, MADISON, OKALOOSA, SANTA ROSA, TAYLOR, WAKULLA, WALTON, WASHINGTON
- Full year starts and ends 06/01. Half year starts 12/01 and ends 06/01.

DISTRICT 7. CHARLOTTE, COLLIER, DE SOTO, GLADES, HARDEE,  HENDRY,  HIGHLANDS,  LEE, MANATEE, OKECHOBEE, SARASOTA
- Full year starts and ends 12/01. Half year starts 06/01 and ends 12/01

Once you have submitted all the required paperwork and fees, you will receive some communication from the DBPR via postal mail.  These letters will tell you if anything is missing or if any other requirements need to be met.  This is one of the reasons why it is so important to check with your health department beforehand to find out if they have any special requirements.  If this has been done ahead of time, then the chances of the licensing process being held up are slim.  A state health inspector will call you on the telephone to schedule your hot dog cart inspection.

The hot dog cart inspection will take place at your commissary, which also acts as your primary license location.  Make sure to have the following items with you when you arrive on that day:

• Fire Extinguisher (must be classification: 3-A:40-BC)
• Probe Thermometer
• Hand Soap
• Paper Towels
• Sanitizer Test Kit
• Hand Sanitizer
• Food Service Gloves

If you desire, all of these items can be purchased here at the DreamMaker showroom. We offer them as a complete inspection kit for $29.95 (excluding the fire extinguisher). If you are missing anything or need to make any corrections, the inspector will let you know and provide you with a checklist.  He or she will also issue you a temporary license on the spot. The DBPR will then send your official license to you in the mail.

After this, you will just need to keep your commissary membership up to date, and renew your state license annually at the beginning of your license cycle.

If you wish, DreamMaker Hot Dog Carts® can file all of your state paperwork for you.  We will complete all of the proper documents, and mail them along with the appropriate fees to the State of Florida. We will interface with the state on your behalf and work with the Plan Reviewers directly in the event that they have questions. We will literally handle the entire licensing process for you, from beginning to end! You will have nothing to worry about or stress over, as we have done this hundreds of times before... We are the pros! We also have a terrific relationship with the state offices in Tallahassee. We charge a small fee of $200.00 for this convenient service. Let us help you get your new licensed quickly and properly!

If you have any questions regarding licensing or commissary, please feel free to contact Reed at anytime. If he is not available, please leave a message and he will return your call just as soon as possible. Contact Reed: 727-735-2412