TEMPORARY AND MOBILE
FOOD VENDORS
Notice to all Temporary and Mobile Food Vendors: Applications and location registrations must be received a minimum of 48-hours prior to operation. No same-day inspections will be conducted as per Board of Health Regulation 19 Section 35 (7) and 38 (12).
A Temporary Food Service Vendor shall comply with the requirements of the Lexington-Fayette County Food Service Regulation #19. Temporary vendors which operate for: 1-3 days will be charged a $60.00 permit fee; 4-7 days will be charged a $90.00 permit fee; and, 8-14 days will be charged a $125 permit fee.
All temporary vendors shall meet requirements for Temporary Food Service Vendors and are subject to inspection and enforcement by health department inspectors. The only exception from fees will be for non-profit organizations with documentation of 501(c)(3) status.
The permit fee is payable to Lexington-Fayette County Health Department (LFCHD). Only those potentially hazardous foods (time/temperature control for safety foods) requiring limited preparation shall be prepared or served unless specifically approved by the department.
A permit application and list of foods to be offered shall be submitted to this department at least 48 hours prior to the operation of any temporary food vending.
Please refer to the Temporary Food Service Guidelines under Helpful Resources.
Helpful Resources:
- Guidelines for Mobile Food Units
- Guias para Mobile Food Units
- Requirements for Statewide Mobile Food Unit Plan Review
- Sampling Guidelines for Food Vendors and Demonstrators at Temporary Food Events
- Temporary Food Service Guidelines
- Temporary Food Service Application Forms
- Time as a Public Health Control
Mobile & Pushcart Operations
A mobile food unit is a food vendor on wheels and is meant to be mobile. Permitted operations pay one yearly fee and may operate statewide (based on permit type).
Mobile Food Units are to contact the local health department and notify them of the address where they are to operate at least 48-hours in advance.
Certain restrictions will apply to each type of mobile unit, so please contact us at (859) 231-9791 to discuss requirements and/or to schedule an inspection.
Any mobile food unit that is permitted as a Statewide Mobile Food Unit must complete a Mobile Food Unit Registration form a minimum of 48-hours prior to setting up at a location and pay a fee of $25 per location or an annual registration fee of $100.
The Mobile Food Unit Registration form and applicable fees can be processed at 650 Newtown Pike, Environmental Health, 2nd floor.