Mobile food business plan review & inspection (PDPH): Philadelphia restaurant guide
Philadelphia Department of Public Health — Office of Food Protection
What it is
Health Department review of the truck or cart (water, waste, hand sink, equipment, menu) plus the support facility (commissary) it works from; passing produces the License Eligibility Report for the mobile license.
When a restaurant needs it
Before licensing any new mobile unit, and on change of ownership of a unit.
How to apply
Submit the Mobile Food Business Plan Review application to Environmental Health Services, 7801 Essington Ave. (walk-in Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–1 p.m. or by appointment; (215) 685-7495).
Documents you’ll need
- Support facility (commissary) info with its latest inspection report and food license
- Scaled facility plan of the unit
- Water tank, waste tank and backflow details
- Equipment list with specs
- Copy of a Philadelphia Food Safety Certificate
- Complete menu and handling procedures
Good to know
Your restaurant can serve as the truck's support facility if it is licensed — attach its latest PDPH inspection report. A City food safety certificate holder must be on the truck at all hours of operation.
Official source
PDPH — Plan review for a mobile food business · Mobile plan review application (fillable PDF)
Answer a few questions about your space and get every permit in order, with a timeline, a cost range, walkthroughs, and every application filled in for you to sign with Open.
Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Guidance only, not legal advice.