Food Truck License Nebraska: All Permits Required to Operate a Food Truck in NE

Starting a food truck business in Nebraska requires a thorough understanding of state licenses and regulations. Fortunately, the process is relatively easy to navigate. Most of the information related to food truck licensing, including food truck requirements, application forms, and municipality-specific ordinances, is available online through the Nebraska Department of Agriculture Website.

To make the process easier to understand, we’ve compiled all relevant requirements in one article, where we explain what they are, why they matter, and how to obtain them.

1. Business registration

The first step in starting any type of business in Nebraska is to register with the Nebraska Secretary of State. Business registration establishes your business as a legal entity distinct from you as an individual. Upon registration, your business will become subject to Nebraska business laws, taxation rules, and privileges.

 

You can register your business through the Nebraska One-Stop Business Registration Information System. The portal will guide you through the creation process by requesting critical information about your business, providing a checklist of necessary forms, and linking you to helpful links and contacts.

2. Plan review

Nebraska law requires all new, remodeled, or converted food establishments to submit building plans for review and approval. During this process, the Department of Agriculture will evaluate whether the establishment’s planned facilities, layout, and equipment support safe and efficient food preparation, handling, and storage. If needed, it may recommend modifications, removals, and additions. No type of construction can begin until the Department of Agriculture approves your plan.

After submission, the Department of Agriculture will schedule a pre-inspection to properly evaluate your building plans and your facilities, checking your kitchen design, handwashing and warewashing facilities, restrooms, plumbing, and other physical aspects of your establishment. Should you fail the pre-inspection, they will recommend additional corrections, and then schedule a follow-up inspection.

To get your plans reviewed, you must submit a plan review application packet, which includes your proposed menu and a detailed drawing of your floor plan. The floor plan must include the following:

• Location of all equipment, with clear labels for each piece
• Labels for all food preparation areas, with indications for raw food preparation areas and ready-to-eat food preparation areas
• Labels for equipment for adequate rapid cooling and short-term/long-term cold storage (i.e. refrigeration, freezers, blast chillers, ice baths) and for hot-holding (i.e. warmers, steam tables) of potentially hazardous foods.
• Labels for dry storage locations
• Labels for food preparation sink locations
• Labels for all handwashing sink locations
• Labels for dishwashing areas, including areas for pre-scraping, pre-flushing, or pre-soaking. Identify areas for drying clean equipment and utensils
• Labels for auxiliary areas
• Entrances and exits
• Finish schedules for walls, ceilings, and covered juncture bases
• Plumbing schedule
• Source of water supply and method of sewage disposal
• Ventilation schedule
• A mop sink or curbed cleaning facility with facilities for hanging wet mops
• Toxic chemical storage description
• Employee belonging area description

For more information on plan review requirements, check out the Department of Agriculture’s document regarding the information needed for a plan review. You can also refer to their list of basic food truck requirements to see what facilities, equipment, and practices they expect from food truck operators.

3. Food establishment permit

All food establishments in Nebraska, including food trucks, must apply for a food establishment permit to operate. To start the process, you must email a permit request to the Department of Agriculture. This form should include the following:

• Application information
• Establishment information
• Hours of operation
• Water requirements
• Planned method of wastewater disposal
• Sizes of waste water and fresh water tanks
• List of specialized food preparation, handling, and storage processes
• Operations summary

The Department of Agriculture’s food safety team will get back to you within thirty days of submission to request additional information. If you pass their standards and no additional information is necessary, they will ask you to schedule an inspection date. You will receive your permit once you pass the inspection.

 

To avoid delays, you should submit your permit request at least sixty days before your desired opening date. This will give the Department of Agriculture enough time to review your application, propose corrections, and schedule a facility inspection.

4. Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan

Food trucks that deal with certain specialized food processes might be asked to submit a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan. Completing a HACCP plan will assure the Department of Agriculture that you can mitigate the food safety risks associated with your food preparation, handling, or storage processes. Check the Association of Food and Drug Officials for guidelines on how to write a HACCP plan.

You would be required to write a HACCP plan if your food truck participates in the following activities:

• Acidification, fermentation, or additives
• Curing for preservation
• Packaging with reduced oxygen
• Smoking food for preservation

Once completed, you should submit your HACCP plan to the Department of Agriculture.

5. Food handler card

Nebraska regulations require all food establishment employees involved in the preparation, storage, and service of food to go through food handler training. These programs give employees a deeper understanding of proper food safety practices, reducing the risk of foodborne illness and other food safety hazards.

You can obtain a valid food handler card by completing a course from any organization with American National Standards Institute National Association Board (ANSINAB) accreditation. Courses typically cost upwards of $10.

Municipality-specific requirements

Most food truck license requirements apply statewide. However, many cities and towns have their own regulations, which override state requirements.

If you plan to operate within one or more of these jurisdictions, contact your municipal government for more details about food truck licensing. The Department of Agriculture’s list of municipal food truck ordinances covers these requirements in greater detail.

 

Jurisdiction	Requirements
Alma	Peddler’s permit
Aurora	Mobile food unit permit
Beatrice	Food establishment permit application Food vending permit application Food vending release & waiver
Bennet	Mobile food vendor application
Broken Bow	Street vendor permit
Central City	Solicitation permit Vendor application
Crete	Mobile food vendor application
Fairbury	Public property peddler permit
Fremont	Mobile food application
Fullerton	Non-resident vendor permit (if applicable)
Gering	Mobile food vendor application Waiver of liability
Grant	Solicitors, peddlers, hawkers, and occupation license
Hastings	Self-survey
Hebron	Food truck regulation
Kearney	Mobile vendor permit
La Vista	Mobile food vendor license
Lexington	Street vendors license
Lincoln	Food establishment permit Mobile food preparation vehicle operational permit Food truck program permit
Loup City	Food truck permit
Madison	Peddler license
Nebraska City	Private property vendor permit Vendor permit
Neligh City	Mobile food vendor application
Newman Grove	Peddler license
Norfolk	Street vending permit
North Bend	Street vending permit
Omaha	Mobile food vendor permit
O’Neill	Vendors license application
Ord	Mobile vendor registration
Osceola	Transient sales application
Osmond	Peddler application
Papillon	Mobile vendor application
Plainview	Application
Randolph	Application
Schuyler	Application
South Sioux City	Food truck license
St. Paul	Food truck application
Stromsburg	Mobile food vendor license
Sutton	Application for food trucks
Wakefield	Street vendor permit
Wisner	Solicitor and handbill distribution application
York	Application Catering agreement Solicitor permit Food truck vendor registration

Renewal guidelines

Rarely are licenses a one-and-done deal. Through time, businesses grow and government regulations change, creating the need for regular license renewals. To keep your business running smoothly, it’s important to proactively anticipate license renewal schedules. Effective preparation spares you from unexpected fines, shutdowns, or other legal headaches.

Requirement	Issuer	Renewal Schedule	Notes
Business registration	Secretary of State	Annually	Requires annual report
Plan review	Department of Agriculture	Per new construction, renovation, or remodel	N/A
Food establishment permit	Department of Agriculture	Every August 1	Fees and guidelines update on or before July 1 every year
HACCP plan	Department of Agriculture	Per change of process, menu, equipment, facility, ownership, or operational control	N/A
Food handler card	Any ANSINAB-accredited organization	Every three years	Necessary for all food truck employees

Tap into the pulse of the Heartland

With its many vibrant university towns, outdoor events and festivals, and tight-knit entrepreneurial communities, Nebraska is a great environment for aspiring food truck operators. However, you can only begin your journey after completing all necessary licensing requirements. Fortunately, the process is relatively straightforward, with the Nebraska government providing multiple helpful resources online.

As you take the road, having the right tools is key to keeping everything running like a well-oiled machine. 7shifts provides great support by streamlining administrative tasks, including scheduling, communication, and employee engagement. With operations automated, you can focus on driving your food truck toward a brighter future.