Mobile Food Vendors (Food Trucks) Operation Requirements - HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP

HT Seal

Hopewell Township is pleased you are looking to add to Hopewell’s dining experience by operating a food truck at one of our local events/locations. In addition to NJ State requirements such as business and motor vehicle licenses, food trucks are also required to obtain licenses/permits and pass inspections from three different Hopewell Township departments: Fire Prevention, Health, and the Township Clerk's Office, to operate legally in our community.  Ordinance 23-1812 was enacted to establish general guidelines for mobile food vendors, food trucks and mobile food facilities. We present this overview to simplify the permitting process and inspections.
 

Municipal License - Hopewell Township Clerk's Office

The Clerk's Office is responsible for issuing the annual license for mobile food facilities AKA Food Truck. The application and process for this license can be found on the Clerk's webpage by clicking here. 

Health Department Permit

The Hopewell Township Health Department conducts annual routine inspections of all retail food establishments, including food vehicles, to ensure that State standards are met. This review and approval signify that the food you serve is being stored and prepared in a safe manner. You will need to submit and have approvals for licenses depending upon whether you are applying for a one-time event or multiple events each year. For more information and the Health Department application visit their webpage Hopewell Township Health Department

Fire Safety

If your vehicle prepares food using fuel fired appliances or a free-standing generator you are required to obtain a Fire Safety Permit from the Hopewell Valley Bureau of Fire Safety as per the Uniform Fire Code. (If the event occurs on State owned property, you will need to contact the NJ Division of Fire Safety. This permit is issued per occurrence of setting up an operating. 

The inspector will conduct an on-site inspection the day of the event once the vehicle is set up. The inspector will conduct a basic Fire Prevention inspection of the vehicle to verify that the life safety features comply with the NJ Uniform Fire Code. This includes but is not limited to the suppression system having a valid 6-month certification, required professional cleaning of the cooking hood and ventilation system, along with the proper and currently inspected fire extinguishers on board. You will need to submit and have approvals/inspections for the following:
 
Type 1 Fire Safety Permit Application

  • Fee: $65 payable to HTFD#1
  • A current cooking suppression system inspection report (without deficiencies) must be submitted with the fire safety permit application. 
  • The fire safety application and fee are due not less than 14 business days before the scheduled event. Late applications will be denied. 
     
    If you have additional questions, please contact the appropriate offices above.

Hopewell Borough

A fire safety permit is required every time the truck sets up to operate. Please contact Hopewell Borough for any local ordinance or zoning approvals.  

Fire Safety Permit Process

The requirements below apply to Hopewell Township and Hopewell Borough

Operation of a mobile food unit requires a fire safety permit and fire safety inspection each individual time the mobile food unit sets up to operate at any and all locations in Hopewell Township and Hopewell Borough. The information below outlines what is required at the time of application and the process of inspections.

  • All fire safety permit applications are due not less than 2 weeks prior to the proposed date of operation. 
  • Each application must be accompanied by the food truck's current cooking suppression system report without deficiencies. and a check payable to HTFD#1 in the amount of $65 for the application fee. 
    (Application fees are NON-REFUNDABLE)
  • If there is any missing information or questions, an inspector will contact the vendor to clarify any question or issues with the application. Please ensure that there is a working email address and phone number on the application. 
  • Once the application is reviewed and deemed complete the truck will be added to our inspection schedule for the date of operation. 
  • A fire safety inspection will take place on the day of operation once the mobile unit (food truck) is fully set up

Cooking is NOT permitted until the fire safety inspection is complete.  

Inspection Process

  • The day of operation a fire inspector will arrive to inspect the operation approximate 30 minutes prior to the noted set up time on the application. 
  • If the operator is running late, please call our office at 609-730-8156 extension 0 to adjust the arrival and set up time. 
  • Please review the food truck safety sheet below for guidance on proper set up to enable as smooth inspection process. 
  • Violations found at the time of inspection that cannot be abated at the time of inspection will result in the permit not being issued and the vendor being sent home for the day.