City Commissary rules · Illinois
Chicago commissary requirements for food trucks and carts
The short answer from Chicago Department of Public Health (Food Protection) and Business Affairs & Consumer Protection: Yes. "Mobile food dispenser and mobile food preparer business licensees must operate from a commissary" that meets the city's minimum requirements.
- Commissary needed?
- Yes. "Mobile food dispenser and mobile food preparer business licensees must operate from a commissary" that meets the city's minimum requirements.
- How often
- "The vehicle must report to the commissary at least once per day for servicing on the days the vehicle operates."
- Paperwork
- The license application includes the commissary's latest inspection report and, for commissaries outside Chicago, a labeled plan and business license.
- Storage
- No time/temperature-controlled foods may be kept in the vehicle while it is in storage.
Confirm with Chicago Department of Public Health (Food Protection) and Business Affairs & Consumer Protection. This page summarises the official documents listed under Sources. Official page
Other things to know
- The commissary must keep a log of each licensee's service dates and times for at least a year.
- Water and waste may only be dumped at a commissary.
- Shared kitchen licenses: operator $660; supplemental (existing restaurants) $330; users need a Shared Kitchen User license ($330 long-term, 2 years; $75 short-term, up to 90 days).
19 kitchens covered by these rules
- 5801 W Dickens Ave, Chicago, IL 60639Rentable prep kitchenLicensed shared kitchen
- 1256 N Waller Ave, Chicago, IL 60651Rentable prep kitchenLicensed shared kitchen
- 1901 W Carroll Ave, Chicago, IL 60612Rentable prep kitchenLicensed shared kitchen
- 2537 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60616Rentable prep kitchenLicensed shared kitchen (delivery-focused)
- 3517 N Spaulding Ave, Chicago, IL 60618Rentable prep kitchenLicensed shared kitchen (delivery-focused)
- 840-850 W Superior St, Chicago, IL 60642Rentable prep kitchenLicensed shared kitchen (delivery-focused)
- 3654 W 16th St, Chicago, IL 60623Rentable prep kitchenLicensed shared kitchen (worker cooperative)
- 3220 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60651Rentable prep kitchenLicensed shared kitchen
- 4650-4652 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60640Rentable prep kitchenLicensed shared kitchen
- 1801 N Spaulding Ave, Chicago, IL 60647Rentable prep kitchenLicensed shared kitchen
- 5150 N Northwest Hwy, Chicago, IL 60630Rentable prep kitchenLicensed shared kitchen
- 324 N Leavitt St, Chicago, IL 60612Rentable prep kitchenLicensed shared kitchen
See all 19 kitchens in Illinois →
Questions people ask
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Chicago?
Yes. "Mobile food dispenser and mobile food preparer business licensees must operate from a commissary" that meets the city's minimum requirements.
How often do I have to go to the commissary?
"The vehicle must report to the commissary at least once per day for servicing on the days the vehicle operates."
What paperwork does Chicago want?
The license application includes the commissary's latest inspection report and, for commissaries outside Chicago, a labeled plan and business license.
Where do I find a commissary in Chicago?
We list 19 kitchens covered by these rules, below. They come from the official Business Licenses - Current Active (Food - Shared Kitchen).
Sources
Last checked September 29, 2026.