Gainesville 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 June 1 (Alachua 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 (Gainesville / Alachua County)

1. City of Gainesville Local Business Tax
   Required for businesses with a physical address in city limits, including home-based businesses. File the business tax affidavit packet from 2 weeks before to 7 business days after you open; later filing adds a 25% penalty, plus $250 if unpaid 180 days after opening.
   ⏰ Renew each September
   Source: City of Gainesville: Local Business Tax
2. Alachua County
   Alachua County repealed its local business tax, so no county receipt is required.
   ⏰ None
   Source: Alachua County Tax Collector: Local Business Tax