Do You Need a Commissary in Florida?
Florida food truck commissary rules: what self-sufficient means, where you can fill water and empty wastewater, and why you cannot prep at home.
It depends on your truck. If everything you do with food happens inside the vehicle, Florida calls your truck self-sufficient. Even then, you need a non-residential place to fill your water tank and empty your wastewater. If you outgrow the truck, you may need a commissary for storage or extra prep. This guide explains the difference, using the Florida Division of Hotels and Restaurants' own guidance.
We read the division's pages in November 2026. Rules and forms change, so confirm with the division before you commit to a location.
Rules change; confirm with your local office.
What a commissary is
A commissary is a licensed place that supports your truck. The division's guide says any food service establishment that is permitted by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) or licensed by the division can provide commissary services. In plain terms, a licensed restaurant or similar fixed kitchen can serve as your commissary.
Self-sufficient trucks
The division describes a self-sufficient mobile food dispensing vehicle as one that performs all food activities inside the vehicle, such as storing, preparing and dishwashing. A self-sufficient truck does not need a commissary for food work.
Even so, you still need a place to deal with water. The vehicle must fill its water tank and empty its wastewater tank at a commercial, non-residential location. The guide gives a commissary and a water and sewer facility, such as a truck stop, as examples.
When you may need a commissary
The division's guide says that if your operations grow beyond what the unit can handle, a commissary may be needed for storage or additional preparation. Think of a menu that needs more refrigerated storage than the truck holds, or prep you cannot do in the vehicle.
When you apply for plan review, the division asks for the location where you will fill water and empty wastewater, which can be a commissary or a water and sewer facility. Choose it before you apply.
Where you cannot work
The division is direct on this: you may not conduct food operations in a private residence. Food storage and preparation must happen in an approved, licensed food service establishment. Your home kitchen and your home water and sewer connection are not options.
Water and wastewater details
- Location type. Commercial and non-residential. The division recommends municipal water and sewer.
- Septic systems. If the location uses a septic system, the county Department of Health must approve it for increased use.
- Department of Health locations. If the location is permitted by the Department of Health, for example a school, a fraternal organization or a bar, the division's guide says the Department of Health is the permitting agency for the mobile unit.
- Tank sizes. The division's opening inspection checklist (dated July 9, 2025) says the wastewater tank must be at least 15% larger by volume than the fresh water tank.
A short checklist
- Decide if your truck can be self-sufficient for your menu.
- Pick a commissary or a water and sewer facility before you submit your plan review.
- Ask the owner whether they allow overnight or daily use, and what they charge.
- Confirm any septic or Department of Health requirements with the county.
- Keep your tanks sized to the 15% rule from the checklist.
Get found while you work
Whatever your setup, customers still need to find you. Create a free page with your menu, photos and stops. Create my free page. See where owners sell in Florida, and read how to open a food truck in Florida.
Sources
- Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of Hotels and Restaurants: Mobile food dispensing vehicle guide. Read November 9, 2026.
- DBPR: Mobile food dispensing vehicle opening and licensing inspection checklist (form HR 5024-027, July 9, 2025). Read November 9, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I park the truck at home?
- The division says food operations may not happen in a private residence, and the water and wastewater location must be non-residential. We did not find an official rule about parking an empty truck at home. Ask the division and your city.
- Does a truck stop count?
- The division gives a truck stop as an example of a water and sewer facility you can use to fill and empty tanks.
- Do I need a commissary to work a festival?
- The division says the license covers catering and a one to three day temporary event without additional temporary event fees. Where you fill and empty water still follows the rules above, and event organizers can add their own requirements.
- Who do I call?
- The division's customer contact center is 850.487.1395.