How to Start a Food Truck Business in Portland, OR

Starting a food truck is a more affordable way to get into the food business.

It doesn’t come with the same level of risk as opening a full restaurant. A restaurant usually means signing a long lease, remodeling the space, buying furniture, and hiring a full team. A food truck lets you skip most of that.

Even the flexibility makes it easier to test menus, reach different neighborhoods, and grow a loyal following.

If you’ve been thinking about getting into the Portland food scene, this guide on how to start a food truck business in Portland Oregon is a great place to begin.

Portland, Oregon on the west coast of the United States is one of the top cities in the country for food trucks.

There are over 500 active food trucks in Portland, which means the customer base is definitely there. Starting your own truck here means joining a strong and proven market.

But to go from idea to opening day, there’s a clear process to follow.

You’ll need to create a plan, get the right permits, and find the right truck.

Many people begin their search with terms like food truck for sale Portland or food trucks for sale Portland Oregon, and we’ll take those under consideration and show you where to look and what to consider when buying.

This article will walk you through every step — from forming your business to parking your truck.

If you’ve been searching for how to start a food truck in Portland Oregon, you’re in the right place.

So, let’s get into the details!

Ready to get started on your food truck business in Portland? Let's learn how!

Your Complete Guide to Starting a Food Truck in Portland, Oregon (top)

Are you ready to make your Portland food truck dream come true?

As we told you above, the food truck culture in Portland is famous, and now it's your chance to get in.

If starting a food truck business feels like a lot, don’t worry. We’ll guide you through each step — from getting permits to finding the right spot — and break it all down so it’s easy to follow.

Let's get your food truck in Portland up and running!

Step 1: Build a Simple Business Plan Before Anything Else (top)

Starting a food truck in Portland, Oregon requires more than just a great recipe—it takes careful planning. A solid business plan is your roadmap to success.

Here's how to create one:

• 1️⃣ First, write a short summary of your food truck idea

Start with a quick intro to your food truck’s concept. What kind of food are you serving? Who do you want to sell to? Why do you want to do this?

Keep it simple and to the point.

It helps others (and yourself) understand what you’re trying to build.

• 2️⃣ Next, figure out your business setup

Are you going solo or teaming up with someone?

Will you register as an LLC or something else?

The setup matters for taxes, licenses, and your day-to-day operations.

Portland recognizes different structures for a food truck's business structure.

A sole proprietorship is simple and low-cost but doesn’t protect your personal assets.

A partnership lets two or more people share ownership, but you’ll both be responsible for debts and decisions.

An LLC is a popular choice because it protects your personal property and is easier to manage than a corporation.

A corporation offers full separation between you and the business, but it’s more complex and costs more to run.

• 🔥 Look into your competition in Portland

  Take time to see who else is out there.

  Check out other food trucks in the city—what are they selling, where do they go, and what’s their vibe?

  This helps you find your spot in the market and avoid repeating what’s already out there.

• 🔥 Plan your menu and prices

  List out the food you’ll serve. Keep the menu short at first, and make sure it’s realistic to prep in a truck.

  Look up your food costs and price things so you can make money without scaring away customers.

• 🔥 Think about how you’ll promote your truck

  Marketing isn’t just ads—it’s how people hear about you.

  Will you use Instagram? Possibly Instagram and Facebook? Since many of us “eat with our eyes,” these would be smart platforms to showcase your dishes.

  Flyers at local events? Maybe join Portland food festivals? Also, think about offering a deal on opening day to get people excited.

• 🔥 Plan your daily truck operations

  Think about your daily setup.

  Will you run everything alone or bring in help? Doing it all yourself might save money, but having at least one or two team members can keep things running smoothly during busy hours.

  Also, plan how you’ll handle water, trash, propane, and stay prepared for Portland’s rainy weather.

  You’ll likely need a commissary kitchen too—a licensed commercial kitchen where you can prep, store food, and clean up.

  Most food trucks need one because space and utilities on the truck are limited, and health rules often require it.

  Check with Multnomah County for licensed commissaries.

• 🔥 Estimate your startup and monthly costs

  Now add up what you’ll spend.

  That includes buying a truck, gear, permits, and monthly costs like propane, kitchen fees, insurance, and maintenance.

  You’ll probably need between $50,000 to $100,000 to get started, depending on the truck and setup.

• 🔥 Lastly, figure out how you’ll fund it

  If you don’t have the full amount saved, you’ll need a loan, help from family, or maybe a small business loan. Write out what you need and how you’ll get it.

A sole proprietorship, LLC, or corporation are all viable options for your food truck business structure.

Step 2: Understand the Different Food Truck Classes in Portland and Choose the Right One for Your Menu (top)

Before you start setting up your food truck in Portland, it's important to know that the city has different classes for food trucks. These classes are based on what kind of food you plan to serve and how you prepare it.

Here's a simple breakdown of each class:

Class 1: Pre-Packaged Foods Only

This class is for trucks that sell only pre-packaged items. You can't prepare, cook, or assemble any food on-site. Examples include selling bottled drinks, canned sodas, or pre-wrapped sandwiches. It's the simplest setup with the fewest requirements.

Class 2: Unpackaged but No Cooking

In this class, you can handle unpackaged foods, but you can't cook, assemble, or warm them on your truck. For example, you might sell hot foods that were prepared and packaged at a licensed commissary and kept warm in approved equipment on your truck.

Class 3: Limited Cooking and Assembly

Class 3 trucks can do some cooking and food assembly on-site. You can prepare foods like sandwiches or salads and cook items like hot dogs or burgers. However, there are restrictions on the types of food you can handle, and you'll need specific equipment to meet health standards.

Class 4: Full-Service Cooking

This is the most comprehensive class. You can prepare a full menu, including handling raw meats and cooking complex dishes. Class 4 trucks require the most equipment and must meet strict health and safety regulations.

License Fees for Each Class (top)

As of 2025, the annual license fees for each class are:

Classes 1, 2, and 3: $570

Class 4: $690

These fees cover the cost of inspections and ensuring your truck meets all health requirements.

Step 3: Get the Plan Review Packet Before You Build or Change Anything on Your Food Truck (top)

Before you build or make any changes to your food truck or cart, you’ll need to get the Plan Review Packet from Multnomah County.

This packet explains what the health department expects from your setup.

It includes all the forms and instructions you’ll need to submit your plans for approval. Whether you're buying a new food truck or fixing up an old one, this step is required before you can open for business.

You can download the packet directly from the county's official site here.

Step 4: Fill Out and Submit Your Plan Review Packet with All the Required Details (top)

Once you’ve downloaded the Plan Review Packet, your next step is to fill it out fully.

You’ll need to include detailed info about your food truck—like the floor plan, the kind of equipment you’ll be using, and your full menu.

The health department uses this to make sure your setup meets safety and sanitation rules.

Double-check everything before submitting, because missing details can slow down the whole process.

After you’ve completed the packet, submit it to Multnomah County Environmental Health Services along with the required fees.

As of now, the plan review fee is $475.

The Plan Review Packet must be filled out completely and accurately to avoid delays in the approval process.

Step 5: Wait for the County to Review and Approve Your Food Truck Plans (top)

After you submit your packet, the county will review your plans.

This usually takes up to 15 business days. During this time, they’ll go through all the details to make sure your food truck meets local health codes.

If everything looks good, they’ll send you an approval letter. This means you’re cleared to start building or modifying your food trucks.

But if anything is missing or not up to code, they’ll let you know what changes or extra info they need.

It’s a good idea to check your email and phone regularly in case they reach out with questions.

Step 6: Book Your Pre-Opening Inspection After You’ve Finished Building the Food Truck (top)

After your food truck is fully built and ready to go, the next step is to schedule a pre-opening inspection with Multnomah County Environmental Health.

This inspection is important because it’s how the county checks that your setup follows all health and safety rules before you’re allowed to serve food to the public.

You can contact the county directly to set up your inspection date. Make sure everything on your food truck is clean, working properly, and matches the plans you submitted earlier.

At this stage, you’ll also need to pay your food service license fee.

For 2025, the fee is $676 for a mobile food unit.

This license allows you to legally operate your food truck in Portland.

Be sure to have your payment ready when you book your inspection. If your food truck passes, you’re one step closer to officially opening.

Step 7: Secure All Required Licenses and Permits Before You Start Serving (top)

Once your food truck passes the pre-opening inspection, you're almost ready to start serving customers.

However, to answer how to get a food truck licence in Portland, you must know that there are several licenses and permits you must obtain to operate legally in Portland, Oregon.

Remember, your operating license is valid for one calendar year and must be renewed annually by 31 December to avoid penalties.

Ensure that all your licenses and permits are up to date to maintain compliance and keep your food truck running smoothly.

Here's a breakdown of the essential ones:

• 1. City of Portland Business License

  Every business operating within Portland must have a City of Portland Business License.

  This license registers your business for tax purposes and ensures compliance with local regulations.

  You can apply for this license through the City of Portland's Revenue Division.

• 2. Multnomah County Mobile Food Unit License

  This license is mandatory for all mobile food units, including food trucks, carts, and trailers. It certifies that your unit meets health and safety standards.

  To obtain this license, you must complete the plan review process and pass the pre-opening inspection.

• 3. Oregon Food Handler's Card

  All employees handling food must have a valid Oregon Food Handler's Card. This certification ensures that staff understand proper food safety practices.

  You can obtain this card by completing an approved food handler training course.

  Information on obtaining the card is available through the Oregon Health Authority.

• 4. Propane Use Permit (If Applicable)

  If your food truck uses propane for cooking, you'll need a permit from Portland Fire & Rescue. This permit ensures that your propane setup complies with safety regulations.

• 5. Sign Permit (If Applicable)

  If you plan to use portable signs (like A-boards) to advertise your food truck, you'll need a signed permit from the City of Portland.

  This permit ensures that your signage complies with city regulations.

• 6. Commissary Kitchen Agreement (If Required)

  Depending on how you plan to prep and store your food, you might need to use a commissary kitchen.

  This is a licensed commercial kitchen where food can be safely prepared, cooked, and stored outside of your food truck.

  If your food truck setup doesn't allow you to do everything on-site — especially for Class 3 or 4 operations — you’ll likely need a commissary.

  To meet this requirement, you’ll have to get a formal agreement in place with a commissary kitchen.

  This agreement shows that you’re allowed to use their space regularly. The county will ask for this as part of your application.

  The current fee for a commissary license is $540.

  So, if you’re going this route, be sure to add that to your startup budget.

• 7. Warehouse License if You Plan to Store Food or Equipment Off-Site

  If your food truck business requires storing food or equipment off-site, outside of your truck or commissary, you'll need to use a licensed warehouse.

  This is important because Multnomah County doesn't allow you to store these items at home.

  The warehouse must meet specific health and safety standards to ensure your food and equipment are stored properly.

  To get started, you'll need to apply for a warehouse license.

  As of 2025, the fee for this license is $475.

  Make sure to have this license in place before you begin storing any items in the warehouse.

  Having a licensed warehouse ensures that your food and equipment are stored in a safe and compliant environment, which is crucial for the success of your food truck business.

• 8. Restroom Access Agreement

  Your food truck must have access to a nearby restroom with a proper handwashing sink.

  This typically involves securing an agreement with a nearby business to allow your staff to use their facilities.

  This requirement ensures compliance with health regulations.

In Portland, a food truck operator must obtain permits, food handler's card, and a business license before conducting business.

Step 8: Take Care of Location Rules and Waste Disposal Before You Open (top)

Before you start serving food, it's important to make sure your food truck follows Portland's rules about where you can operate and how you handle waste.

Let's go over the key points:

• ✅ Location and Zoning

  Make sure your food truck is parked in an approved spot. Portland has zoning laws, and some areas need special permits—especially sidewalks, parks, or pods.

• ✅ Wastewater Disposal

  If your food truck creates wastewater, you must either connect to the sewer system or have a proper waste pumping plan.

• ✅ Trash and Recycling

  You need proper bins for garbage and recycling. These must be covered and follow city rules to keep the area clean.

• ✅ Composting Food Waste

  If your food truck produces up to 500 pounds of food waste a week, you must separate food scraps for composting.

Ready to Launch Your Food Truck in Portland? (top)

Starting a food truck in Portland is exciting, but it takes planning. From your business structure to your licenses and location, every step matters.

And yes—Portland’s rainy weather is something to think about. Many successful food trucks in Portland use tents, heaters, and covered seating to keep customers comfortable year-round.

If you're ready to take the leap and were wondering how to start a food truck business in Portland Oregon, now you have a clear path.

When you're comparing food trucks for sale Portland Oregon, just make sure it fits your menu and setup.

With the right prep, you’ll be serving happy customers in no time.

Good vibes and good friends! Time to explore Portland's food truck scene.