Does a Hot Dog Cart Need a License Plate?
There are many things to consider when running a hot dog cart, but one key point is that you don’t need a license plate to run the business.What the business does need is a business license and a food handler’s permit, which is issued by your state’s health department. A regular hot dog cart doesn’t need a license plate unless it’s motorized or towed as a trailer on the street.
If your hot dog cart is built to be towed behind a vehicle, it should be registered as a trailer. If you plan to use it on the street for selling, then it needs to have a license plate. But if you move it using another trailer and only use it on private property or parking lots, it doesn’t need a license plate. If someone buying the cart asks for the paperwork, they probably plan to tow it.
Do Hot Dog Carts Have Titles?
Usually, you’ll need a title for your trailer to get the tags that make your cart legal for the street. But this only applies if your hot dog cart is towed by a trailer. So, if you have a simple hot dog cart, you might not need a title. Also, if you have a Certificate of Origin, that might cover the cart’s title requirements.
4 Requirements for a Hot Dog Stand Business License
Hot dogs are a favorite with many people, which makes a hot dog stand in a good location—like business districts, near hospitals and colleges, or at temporary events such as fairs and festivals—a potentially profitable business. But before you start filling buns and adding mustard, you need to get a food vending license.
- Food Vending License
Most areas require hot dog stands to get a food vending license before opening. To get this license, you’ll usually need to contact your local health department and meet their requirements, which might include specific rules about the type and size of the hot dog stand. You might also need to provide a menu of everything you’ll sell, along with a price list.
- Food Handler’s Permit
Some areas require hot dog stands to have a certified food handler or manager on-site during business hours. If your area has this rule, you’ll need to complete a training program offered by your local health department to get certified.
- General Business License
Many places require hot dog stands to have a general business license, in addition to any food handling or vending permits. This license gives you permission to run your business in that specific area.
You can apply for a business license through your city or county’s licensing and inspections department, or another agency that handles business licenses and permits.
- Health Inspections and Certificates
Before you can start selling food, your new hot dog stand will need to pass a health inspection. The inspection will usually check things like cleanliness, how you store food, your refrigeration setup, your food preparation space, and your trash disposal.
Inspectors will also check that you have a working fire extinguisher. Once you pass the inspection, you’ll get a certificate or other proof that you need to display in or on your stand. Many areas do surprise inspections regularly, so you need to be ready for that at all times.
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