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CFD Fire Safety Permit — Mobile Food Vehicle: Chicago restaurant guide

Chicago Fire Department

What it is

The Fire Department's inspection and permit for a food truck that carries a generator, propane, compressed natural gas, an exhaust hood or a fire suppression system.

When a restaurant needs it

Before a Mobile Food Preparer or Dispenser license issues, if the vehicle has any of that equipment.

How to apply

Requested through the BACP mobile food license process; CFD inspects the vehicle and reviews the suppression system.

Documents you’ll need

Fee
Fire Safety Permit $100; Fire Suppression System Review $150
Processing time
Scheduled during licensing
Renewal
With the 2-year license
Who files
The truck owner hosts the CFD inspection.

Good to know

Propane on the truck is capped at 40 lb. A hood with cooking equipment needs a suppression system reviewed by CFD.

Official source

BACP — Food truck licensing (fire permit) · CFD — Fire Prevention Bureau (mobile food vehicle certifications)

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Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Guidance only, not legal advice.