How to Get a Food Cart Vendor License in Atlanta, GA: Step‑by‑Step Guide

Launching a food cart in Atlanta, Georgia can be a great way to test a concept, reach busy neighborhoods, and join the city’s growing street‑food scene. But before you can legally sell food from a cart or pushcart, you need the right licenses and permits from both the State of Georgia and the City of Atlanta.

This guide walks you through how food cart vendor licensing works in Atlanta, what offices you’ll deal with, and what to expect at each step.

1. How Food Cart Licensing Works in Atlanta

In Atlanta, a food cart (or pushcart) is usually treated as a type of mobile food service. That means you’re dealing with:

• State of Georgia (Fulton County / DeKalb County Health) for health permits
• City of Atlanta for business licensing and vending permissions
• Sometimes, special vending programs for specific areas like Downtown or Midtown

Think of it in three layers:

1. State health approval – Are you allowed to prepare and serve food safely?
2. City business license – Are you legally operating a business in Atlanta?
3. Street vending permissions – Are you allowed to sell from a cart in a public space or specific district?

You need all three aligned to operate a food cart legally in Atlanta.

2. Decide What Kind of Food Cart You’re Operating

Before you apply for anything, be clear about:

• What you’ll sell (hot dogs, tacos, coffee, prepackaged snacks, ice cream, etc.)
• How you’ll prepare it (on the cart, in a commissary kitchen, or prepackaged)
• Where you’ll operate (public sidewalk, private property, festivals, stadium events, etc.)

These factors change which permits you need and which agency takes the lead.

Common categories in Atlanta

• Full food cart / pushcart

  • Cook or reheat food on the cart
  • Require health department permit, commissary kitchen, and more inspections

• Prepackaged food cart

  • Only sells sealed, prepackaged items (chips, canned soda, bottled water, some ice creams)
  • Requirements can be less intensive, but you still need business licensing and often some form of health review

• Event‑only vendor

  • Mainly operates at festivals, fairs, or private events
  • Often needs event permits in addition to core licensing

Having a clear concept helps you avoid applying for the wrong type of license.

3. Health Department Permit for a Food Cart in Atlanta

Food safety is regulated at the county level under Georgia law.

Most of the City of Atlanta is in Fulton County, but some neighborhoods are in DeKalb County. Wherever your commissary kitchen or base of operations is located usually determines which health department you work with.

Fulton County Board of Health – Environmental Health

Typical office serving Atlanta:

• Fulton County Board of Health – Environmental Health Services
  10 Park Place South SE
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone (main switchboard often routes to Environmental Health): 404‑613‑1303 (verify current department line when you call)

Ask for information about mobile food service units / food carts.

DeKalb County Board of Health – Environmental Health

If your cart or commissary is based in the DeKalb portion of Atlanta:

• DeKalb County Board of Health – Environmental Health
  445 Winn Way, Suite 320
  Decatur, GA 30030
  Phone: 404‑508‑7900

Typical health steps for a food cart

While exact forms and fees change over time, the process usually includes:

1. Submit a plan review

   • Layout and specs of your cart
   • Proposed menu
   • Commissary kitchen details (a licensed restaurant or commercial kitchen where you store, prep, clean, and fill water tanks)
   • How you’ll handle handwashing, hot/cold holding, and wastewater disposal

2. Get approval for a commissary

   • Food carts in Atlanta are generally not allowed to operate without a licensed commissary kitchen.
   • This can be a restaurant, shared commercial kitchen, or other permitted facility that signs an agreement to serve as your base.

3. Pass a pre‑operational inspection

   • Health inspector examines your cart and commissary
   • Checks equipment (refrigeration, hot‑holding, sinks, water tanks)
   • Verifies safe food handling practices and documentation

4. Obtain your health permit

   • Once approved, you receive a Food Service Permit (often renewed annually)
   • You must post this permit on your cart when operating

5. Food safety training

   • At least one responsible person is usually expected to have food safety / food manager training
   • Ask the county which certifications they recognize

📝 Key tip: Talk to Environmental Health before you build or buy a cart. Atlanta‑area health departments have specific requirements for sink sizes, water capacity, materials, and more. Getting specs wrong can be an expensive mistake.

4. City of Atlanta Business License (Occupational Tax Certificate)

No matter how small your cart is, if you’re selling in Atlanta, you generally need a City of Atlanta business license, officially called an Occupational Tax Certificate.

Main office for business licensing

• City of Atlanta – Office of Revenue, Business Licensing & Occupational Taxes
  55 Trinity Avenue SW, Suite 1350
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main Phone (City Hall switchboard): 404‑330‑6000
  (Ask to be directed to Business Licensing)

Typical steps to get your Atlanta business license

1. Choose your business structure

   • Sole proprietor, LLC, corporation, etc.
   • Many street vendors use an LLC for liability protection, but that’s a legal/business choice you should consider carefully.

2. Register your business name

   • If using a trade name (e.g., “Peachtree Street Dogs”), you may need to register a DBA (doing business as) at the county level and list it with the city.

3. Apply for an Occupational Tax Certificate

   • Provide:
     • Legal business name and owner info
     • Business address (often your commissary or business office, not the cart location)
     • Description of your food cart operation
   • The city calculates an occupational tax (business license fee) based on business type and revenue.

4. Register for state taxes

   • Food vendors need to collect and remit Georgia sales tax.
   • You’ll need a Georgia sales tax number from the Georgia Department of Revenue.

💡 Reminder: Keep your business license and state tax registration up to date. Atlanta may perform checks when renewing vending permits or reviewing complaints.

5. Street Vending & Location Permissions in Atlanta

Having a health permit and a business license does not automatically allow you to set up a cart on any Atlanta sidewalk. You must still be allowed to use the space where you plan to sell.

There are three main scenarios:

5.1 Vending on public sidewalks / in the public right‑of‑way

Atlanta regulates public street vending, especially downtown and around high‑traffic areas, through specific programs and ordinances. Over the years, the city has tightened rules about where vendors can operate.

To explore legal public‑space vending:

• Start with the City of Atlanta Department of City Planning or Public Works to ask about:
  • Sidewalk vending permits
  • Public right‑of‑way use
  • Any designated street vending programs (especially in Downtown, Midtown, and near MARTA stations)

Main City Hall address (for routing to the right department):

• City of Atlanta City Hall
  55 Trinity Avenue SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main Phone: 404‑330‑6000

Ask specifically about “mobile food vending / sidewalk vending permits” and explain that you are operating a food cart, not a full food truck. They may direct you to the appropriate office or coordinator.

5.2 Vending on private property

If you plan to park your cart on private property (for example, an office complex courtyard, a brewery’s patio, or a parking lot):

• You generally need:
  • Written permission from the property owner or manager
  • Compliance with any zoning rules or parking regulations
  • Your health permit and business license

The City of Atlanta’s Office of Buildings / Zoning can clarify if special use permits or temporary use approvals are needed for a cart on a specific lot.

Typical zoning contact route:

• City of Atlanta – Office of Buildings / Zoning
  55 Trinity Avenue SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main Phone: 404‑330‑6150 (often used for permitting and zoning inquiries; verify current line)

5.3 Vending at festivals, stadiums, and events

For events at places like:

• Mercedes‑Benz Stadium
• State Farm Arena
• Piedmont Park festivals
• Neighborhood street festivals and farmers markets

You’ll typically need:

• A special event vendor permit issued by the event organizer or the City of Atlanta
• Your own health permit and business license as a baseline
• Sometimes, temporary permits if the event falls under special rules

Always check with the event organizer first; they usually provide vendor packets explaining exactly what permits are needed for that venue or date.

6. Common Requirements for Atlanta Food Carts

Although details vary by department and cart type, most Atlanta food cart vendors can expect to meet the following:

Cart equipment & setup

• Handwashing sink with hot and cold running water
• Adequate fresh water and wastewater tanks
• Proper refrigeration for cold foods (usually required to keep foods at safe cold‑holding temperatures)
• Approved hot‑holding equipment for cooked items
• Food‑grade surfaces that are smooth, non‑absorbent, and easy to clean
• Overhead protection from contamination (like a canopy or built‑in cover)

Food handling & operations

• Use of a licensed commissary for:

  • Storing food and supplies
  • Prepping ingredients (often required for raw meats and complex dishes)
  • Cleaning and sanitizing equipment
  • Filling water tanks and disposing of wastewater

• No home kitchen prep – Under Georgia rules, food carts cannot typically use a residential kitchen for their main prep.

• Safe temperatures and labeling – Hot foods hot, cold foods cold, and clear labeling for prepackaged items.

Staffing & training

• At least one person with food safety training or certification
• All staff trained on:
  • Handwashing
  • Cross‑contamination prevention
  • Allergen awareness

7. Typical Cost Categories (High‑Level Overview)

Exact fees change regularly, but these are the common cost buckets for a food cart vendor in Atlanta:

Always confirm current fee schedules directly with the appropriate Atlanta or county office before budgeting.

8. Step‑by‑Step Checklist for a New Atlanta Food Cart Vendor

Use this as a practical roadmap:

1. Define your concept and menu

   • Decide if you’re a hot food cart, cold/prepackaged cart, or event‑only vendor.

2. Talk to the Health Department early

   • Contact Fulton or DeKalb Environmental Health (depending on your commissary location).
   • Ask for mobile food service / cart requirements and plan review packets.

3. Secure a commissary kitchen

   • Find a licensed commercial kitchen or restaurant willing to be your commissary.
   • Get any required commissary agreement forms signed.

4. Design or select a compliant cart

   • Make sure the cart meets sink, water, hot/cold holding, and material standards.
   • Submit plans and specifications for review before buying custom equipment if possible.

5. Submit health plan review and schedule inspection

   • Provide menu, cart design, commissary details, and any required documents.
   • After approval, schedule your pre‑opening inspection.

6. Register your business & taxes

   • Decide on your legal structure (e.g., LLC).
   • Register for Georgia sales tax.
   • Apply for a City of Atlanta Occupational Tax Certificate (business license).

7. Confirm where you can operate

   • If using public sidewalks, contact the city about street vending permits and location rules.
   • If using private property, get written permission and check zoning requirements.
   • For events, follow the organizer’s vendor permitting process.

8. Complete food safety training

   • Obtain recognized food handler or manager training and keep the certificate on hand.

9. Keep all paperwork on the cart

   • Health permit
   • Business license (or copy)
   • Commissary agreement (if required)
   • Any street vending or event permits

10. Renew annually and keep records

    • Track permit expiration dates
    • Maintain sales records and tax filings

9. Where to Ask Questions in Atlanta

If you’re unsure which permits apply to your specific situation, these are good starting points:

• City of Atlanta City Hall (General Info)
  55 Trinity Avenue SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone: 404‑330‑6000
  Ask to be directed to:

  • Business Licensing / Office of Revenue (for business license questions)
  • City Planning / Zoning / Public Works (for street vending and location rules)

• Fulton County Board of Health – Environmental Health
  10 Park Place South SE
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone: 404‑613‑1303 (or current Environmental Health line)

• DeKalb County Board of Health – Environmental Health
  445 Winn Way, Suite 320
  Decatur, GA 30030
  Phone: 404‑508‑7900

When you call, briefly explain:
“I’m planning to operate a food cart in Atlanta and need to know the permits and licenses required for my specific situation.”

Being clear that you’re a cart (not a full truck) and describing your menu will help staff point you to the right forms and rules for Atlanta, GA.