MOBILE FOOD VEHICLE CERTIFICATION INFORMATION 

Statement of CFD Policy Regarding Fire Safety Permit Applications

The Fire Prevention Bureau shall review all completed fire safety permit applications to determine whether the vehicle meets the fire safety specifications outlined in the City of Chicago Mobile Food Vendors and Shared Kitchens Rules. 

The Deputy Fire Commissioner of the Chicago Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau shall have final authority to approve or deny mobile food vehicle fire safety permits and request any amendments or revisions that may be necessary.

MOBILE FOOD VEHICLE CERTIFICATION PROCESS

To obtain a fire safety permit, the mobile food vehicle owner must complete a 5-step process beginning with an initial consultation with a business consultant at the City's Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection [BACP].  The steps required are as follows:

1. BACP Meeting
2. Vehicle Plans: Mobile Food Vehicle Suppression Systems
3. Inspection
4. Permit Application
5. Propane Handling Training

Step 1 - Business Affairs & Consumer Protection Meeting

In your initial meeting with the BACP business consultant, you and the consultant will determine if you are required to acquire a fire safety permit from the Fire Prevention Bureau.    

Reference: Mobile Food Vehicle Fire Safety Assessment & Inspection Checklist – pg. 1

Reference: Mobile Food Vendor Licenses

Step 2 - Vehicle Plans: Mobile Food Vehicle Suppression Systems

Using the same process required of brick-and-mortar businesses by the Chicago Fire Department, mobile food vehicles operating a suppression system on board are required to submit the vehicle plan/blueprint to the Fire Prevention Bureau on the blueprint designer’s official company letterhead.

 Submissions from unlicensed individuals will not be approved. 

The vehicle owner must include a $150.00 check or money order (non-refundable) made payable to the City of Chicago, Department of Revenue, along with these blueprints to the Fire Prevention Bureau for processing.  CFD-FPB personnel will review the blueprints to determine if the vehicle’s fire suppression system meets fire safety requirements.  Please consult the Mobile Food Vehicle Suppression System Blueprint Checklist for a detailed checklist of what is required on submitted blueprints.   

Reference: Mobile Food Vehicle Suppression System Blueprint Checklist

Step 3 – Inspection

If the applicant's suppression system blueprints are approved, an initial inspection will be conducted by CFD-FPB personnel in conjunction with the Health Department.  The checklist enclosed here is your guide to initial and subsequent inspections.

Reference: Mobile Food Vehicle Fire Safety Assessment & Inspection Checklist – pg. 2

Step 4 - Permit Application

If the applicant’s vehicle passes inspection, the applicant will submit an additional $100.00 check or money order (non-refundable) made payable to the City of Chicago Department of Revenue, to the Fire Prevention Bureau along with the fire safety permit application for processing. Once approved, the final fire safety permit must always be kept in the vehicle.

Reference: Mobile Food Vehicle Fire Safety Permit Application

Step 5 - Propane Handling Training

Mobile Food Dispenser (MFD) and Mobile Food Preparer (MFP) business license applicants with gasoline, diesel, propane or natural gas system installed in their mobile food vehicle must complete a Fire Safety Class (FSC) conducted by the Chicago Fire Department - Fire Prevention Bureau. All mobile food vehicles must always have a person trained in handling and refilling propane on board.   

Reference:  Mobile Food Vehicle Operator Fire Safety Class