Fort Lauderdale Food Truck License Requirements (2026)

📋 Your checklist

State

1. Florida Mobile Food Dispensing Vehicle (MFDV) license (DBPR Hotels & Restaurants)
   Food trucks are licensed by the state. Florida law stops cities and counties from requiring their own separate food-truck license or permit fee. Fee: $347 a full year ($178.50 half year).
   ⏰ Renews every year on December 1 (Broward County district)
   Source: Florida DBPR: Hotels and Restaurants food service fees · Florida DBPR: Hotels and Restaurants district offices and expiration dates · Florida Statutes §509.102 (food trucks; state preemption)
2. Business name and entity filings (Sunbiz)
   LLCs and corporations file an annual report ($138.75 for an LLC). Using a name other than your legal name? Register it as a fictitious name.
   ⏰ Annual report: May 1 ($400 late fee). Fictitious name: renew every 5 years
   Source: Florida Division of Corporations: File Annual Report · Florida Statutes §865.09 (fictitious name registration)

Local (Fort Lauderdale / Broward County)

1. City of Fort Lauderdale Business Tax Receipt
   Required for most businesses in the city, including home-based businesses, mobile vendors and food trucks. One receipt per location and per classification, displayed at the business. New since October 1, 2026: get zoning approval through a Certificate of Use before applying.
   ⏰ Renewal season July 1 to September 30 each year
   Source: City of Fort Lauderdale: Business Tax
2. Broward County Local Business Tax Receipt
   The City of Fort Lauderdale says most businesses must keep both a city receipt and a separate Broward County receipt.
   ⏰ Verify the county renewal date with Broward County
   Source: City of Fort Lauderdale: Business Tax