Toronto · Mobile food vending
Licences and permits to open a food truck in Toronto
We found five licences, permits and registrations that can apply when you open a food truck in Toronto, starting with the Motorized Refreshment Vehicle Owner licence. They are handled by two different bodies: Municipal Licensing & Standards and Toronto Public Health.
Everything on this list is municipal, so the City of Toronto is your main point of contact. Published application-plus-licence totals on these pages range from $493.50 to $1,464.14. Two have no fee listed on the page we reviewed.
The notes mention proof of $2,000,000 in liability insurance, an inspection and a certificate or exam; those steps depend on other people's schedules, so they are worth starting early.
- Requirements
- 5
- Issuers
- 2
- Provincial
- 0
- Last verified
- Oct 31, 2026
What you'll need
Last verified:
01Motorized Refreshment Vehicle Owner licence
MunicipalIssued by: City of Toronto — Municipal Licensing & Standards
Required to operate a food truck; applicants need $2,000,000 liability insurance, a recent MTO Safety Standards Certificate, a Toronto Public Health inspection letter and a propane/natural gas inspection if applicable.
Fees as published
- Application fee: $286.47
- Licence fee: $1,177.67
- Total fee (Application fee + Licence fee): $1,464.14
- Renewal fee: $973.91 (as listed on toronto.ca, page modified September 2, 2026)
02Mobile Food Vending Permit (to vend on public roads)
MunicipalIssued by: City of Toronto — Municipal Licensing & Standards
Needed to operate at pay-and-display spots on public roads (not Gould Street); a Motorized Refreshment Vehicle licence is required first, and trucks must stay 30 m from open restaurants, max two per block and 12 hours at a time.
Fees as published
- Six-month permit: $3,896.58
- Nine-month permit: $5,844.88
- 12-month permit: $7,793.15 (inclusive of HST
- as listed on toronto.ca, page modified September 2, 2026)
03Refreshment Vehicle Driver licence
MunicipalIssued by: City of Toronto — Municipal Licensing & Standards
Any driver of a food or ice cream truck must hold this licence.
Fees as published
- Application fee: $164.20
- Licence fee: $329.30
- Total fee (Application fee + Licence fee): $493.50
- Renewal fee: $365.21 (as listed on toronto.ca, page modified July 14, 2026)
04Notify Toronto Public Health of a new food premises (DineSafe inspection)
MunicipalIssued by: City of Toronto — Toronto Public Health
Anyone intending to operate a food premises (fixed, mobile or home-based), including buying an existing one, must notify the Medical Officer of Health before starting; premises are inspected and results posted on DineSafe.
No fee published on the source page.
05Food Handler Certification
MunicipalIssued by: City of Toronto — Toronto Public Health
The City lists Food Handler Certification as required for anyone who serves and handles food. Toronto Public Health's program is suspended; certificates from Ontario Ministry of Health-approved providers or any Ontario health unit are accepted.
No fee published on the source page.
This is general guidance, not legal advice. Confirm requirements with the municipality before opening.
FAQ
Food Truck in Toronto: common questions
What licences do I need to open a food truck in Toronto?
How much do the licences cost to open a food truck in Toronto?
Who issues these licences and permits?
Do I need anything from the Province of Ontario?
How current is this information?
Related guides
Similar businesses in Toronto
Next steps
Before you apply
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