Food trucks are one of the most convenient options for To start a business of cooking and also one of the most popular among families and communities when eating out.

For Latino entrepreneursFurthermore, they are a way to share the culinary traditions of their countries of origin and a first step before opening their own restaurant.

But turning that idea into a formal business requires a process involving two separate entities: Buncombe County and the city of Asheville. The process can take more than 30 days and cost at least $175.

An opportunity that requires planning 

Jenny Forero is intimately familiar with the journey of Latino entrepreneurs in western North Carolina. She is the executive director of For Your WealthShe has a master's degree in business and has worked with small business owners for more than seven years.

“It’s a good way to use her culinary gifts and also her entrepreneurial gifts to start a business,” she told Enlace Latino NC .

But the expert warns that enthusiasm isn't enough. Before investing, it's recommended to analyze the market and run the numbers carefully: how many dishes need to be sold to cover expenses, how much each dish costs, and how much profit can be made annually.

“There are many risks when you have your own business. You have to plan and analyze the math very well,” he explained.

The initial investment is significant. According to Forero, a food truck can cost between $20,000 and $25,000, plus an additional $10,000 for food and supplies. He also advises having a financial cushion of three or four months' worth of expenses, because at the beginning, money doesn't always come in as expected.

Therefore, their recommendation for those just starting out is to test the market before making a large investment. One option is festivals, where organizers can help obtain temporary permits from the city to sell during the event.

Related:  How to get a personal or business loan with an ITIN Number in North Carolina

Buncombe County Requirements

The permit to operate a food truck, officially known as a mobile food unit (MFU), is issued by the Buncombe County Office of Environmental Health.

To apply, you must submit an application, a scale drawing of the truck, a copy of the proposed menu, and the equipment's technical specifications. You must also pay the drawing review fee ($175).

Sarah Coppa, the county's food and lodging environmental health specialist, explained to Enlace Latino NC  The process varies depending on the case. If the truck is to be built, the plans must be approved before construction begins. If a pre-built truck is purchased, an on-site inspection is carried out.

In addition, before the permit is issued, the truck must have an approved base kitchen: an authorized commercial kitchen where food is prepared and stored and wastewater from the truck, known as greywater, is disposed of.

Those waters must pass through a grease trap approved by the Metropolitan Sewerage District (MSD) of the county. Both Environmental Health and the MSD must approve the location of the base kitchen.

The county requests that applications be submitted at least 30 days in advance of the planned opening date.

Coppa clarified that additional delays may occur, for example, if the truck requires modifications to meet regulations or if there are issues with the kitchen base approval. The office aims to conduct the blueprint review or in-person visit within two weeks of the request.

Consequences of operating without a permit

Operating without a permit This has consequences. Environmental Health first issues a violation notice and, if the truck continues operating, may initiate legal action against the operator.

“If someone decides to operate illegally, they risk further legal action from customers, for example, if the mobile food unit causes an outbreak of foodborne illness,” Coppa said.

Currently, there are 124 active permits for mobile food units in the county. Fifty were issued in 2025, and 16 so far this year.

Food truck permits in Asheville: what the city requires

The city of Asheville does not issue permits to start a food business: that process is handled by the county.

But once the business is established, the city may require zoning and use permits, depending on the location where the seller wants to operate, the communications office told Enlace Latino NC .

The rules vary depending on the region: 

• In commercial areas, such as West Asheville or the River Arts District, you can usually obtain a temporary use permit to operate for up to 180 days a year.
• In downtown Asheville, the rules are very restrictive. Temporary trucks are usually only allowed through special permit events.
• If the food truck participates in an event, the organizer must register it as a food vendor with the city's Office of Special Events.
• The city is also running pilot programs with designated parking spaces for street food vendors to operate.

Applications are submitted in person at the Permit Application Center or online through the city's Development Services portal.

Do I need a social security number?

One of the most frequent questions among Latino entrepreneurs is whether they can start their business without a social security number. According to Forero, it's not an impediment to taking the first step: registering the business with the state.

“The first step is to get your LLC. And you don’t need a social security number, you can do it with an ITIN,” he explained.

El Personal Taxpayer Identification Number An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to individuals who do not qualify for a social security number. Registering the business, Forero added, gives the business its own legal identity.

The business specialist says she knows many cases of entrepreneurs who have faced and overcome that barrier.

📌 How to open an LLC in North Carolina with an ITIN or Social Security number to start a business

In the case of the county permit, the Environmental Health office confirmed to this media outlet that it does not require a social security number or ITIN to process it.

Where to find help in Spanish

• Buncombe County Environmental Health It has specialists who speak Spanish and a Food truck application available in SpanishPhone: 828-250-5016.
• El  City of Asheville website It can be read in Spanish using the translator located at the top right of the page.
• Goodwill offers the ServSafe certification course in safe food handling at their center located at 1616 Patton Avenue in Asheville. According to Forero, the course is available in Spanish. To register, contact the Goodwill Training Center.
• For Your Wealth teaches business classes that help calculate the financial projections of a business venture.

PODCAST

After the storm

A year ago, Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina. The Latino community responded with something stronger than the storm: solidarity. 

🎧 In this episode, learn how Latino organizations transformed crisis into resilience.

▶️Press play to listen!

Republish This Story

Republish our stories for free on your website or newspaper. We follow the Creative Commons license. Click the box and follow the instructions.

close window

Republish this article

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

"This article may be republished for free under the Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Enlace Latino NC authorizes the reproduction of this content in newspapers and digital platforms, provided that the integrity of the text is maintained and that it is cited Enlace Latino NC and the author of the story to be republished as the primary source. If you publish the story in a digital news outlet or website, you must include a link to our website: www.enlacelatinonc.org

If you wish to make edits to the content to be republished, please contact our editorial team at walter@enlacelatinonc.org to obtain the corresponding permit."

How to open a food truck in Asheville

by Patricia Serrano, Enlace Latino NC
June 19, 2026

Enlace Latino NC June 19, 2026 Food trucks are one of the most convenient options for starting a cooking business and also one of the most popular among families and communities when eating out. For Latino entrepreneurs , they are also a way to share the culinary traditions of their countries of origin and a first step before opening their own restaurant. But turning that idea into a formal business requires a process involving two separate entities: Buncombe County and the city of Asheville. The process can take more than 30 days and cost at least $175. An opportunity that requires planning Jenny Forero has firsthand knowledge of the journey of Latino entrepreneurs in western North Carolina. She is the executive director of For Your Wealth ; she holds a master's degree in business and has worked with small business owners for over seven years. "It's a good way to use her culinary gifts and also her entrepreneurial gifts to start a business," she told Enlace Latino NC. But the expert warns that enthusiasm isn't enough. Before investing, it's recommended to analyze the market and run the numbers carefully: how many dishes need to be sold to cover expenses, how much each dish costs, and how much profit can be made annually. "There are many risks when you have your own business. You have to plan and analyze the math very well," he explained. The initial investment is significant. According to Forero, a food truck can cost between $20,000 and $25,000, plus an additional $10,000 for food and supplies. He also advises having a financial cushion of three or four months' worth of expenses, because at the beginning, money doesn't always come in as expected. Therefore, their recommendation for those just starting out is to test the market before making a large investment. One option is festivals, where organizers can help obtain temporary permits from the city to sell during the event. Related: How to get a personal or business loan with an ITIN number in North Carolina Buncombe County Requirements The permit to operate a food truck, officially known as a mobile food unit (MFU), is issued by the Buncombe County Office of Environmental Health. To apply, you must submit an application, a scale drawing of the truck, a copy of the proposed menu, and the equipment's technical specifications. You must also pay the drawing review fee ($175). Sarah Coppa, the county's food and lodging environmental health specialist, explained to Enlace Latino NCThe process varies depending on the case. If the truck is to be built, the plans must be approved before construction begins. If a pre-built truck is purchased, an on-site inspection is carried out. In addition, before the permit is issued, the truck must have an approved base kitchen: an authorized commercial kitchen where food is prepared and stored and wastewater from the truck, known as greywater, is disposed of. That wastewater must pass through a grease trap approved by the county's Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD). Both Environmental Health and the MSD must approve the location of the base kitchen. The county requests that applications be submitted at least 30 days in advance of the planned opening date. Coppa clarified that additional delays may occur, for example, if the truck requires modifications to meet regulations or if there are issues with the kitchen base approval. The office aims to conduct the blueprint review or in-person visit within two weeks of the request. Consequences of operating without a permit Operating without a permit has consequences. Environmental Health first issues a violation notice and, if the truck continues operating, may initiate legal action against the operator. "If someone decides to operate illegally, they risk further legal action from customers, for example, if the mobile food unit causes an outbreak of foodborne illness," Coppa said. Currently, there are 124 active permits for mobile food units in the county. Fifty were issued in 2025, and 16 so far this year. Read also: Do you need help starting your food truck business? Food truck permits in Asheville: what the city requires The city of Asheville does not issue permits to start a food business: that process is handled by the county. But once the business is established, the city may require zoning and use permits, depending on the location where the seller wants to operate, the communications office told Enlace Latino NC. The rules vary depending on the region: In commercial areas, such as West Asheville or the River Arts District, you can usually obtain a temporary use permit to operate for up to 180 days a year. In downtown Asheville, the rules are very restrictive. Temporary trucks are usually only allowed through special permit events. If the food truck participates in an event, the organizer must register it as a food vendor with the city's Office of Special Events. The city is also running pilot programs with designated parking spaces for street food vendors to operate. Applications are submitted in person at the Permit Application Center or online through the city's Development Services portal. Do I need a social security number? One of the most frequent questions among Latino entrepreneurs is whether they can start this path without a social security number. According to Forero, it is not an impediment to taking the first step: registering the business with the State. "The first step is to get your LLC." "And you don't need a social security number, you can do it with an ITIN," he explained. The Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to individuals who do not qualify for social security. Registering the company, Forero added, gives the business its own legal identity. The business specialist says she knows many cases of entrepreneurs who have faced and overcome that barrier. 📌 How to open an LLC in North Carolina with an ITIN or Social Security number to start a business "Most of the people I've seen succeed don't have documents, and they've succeeded in a heroic way, with delicious typical meals," he said. Jenny Forero, For Your Wealth In the case of the county permit, the Environmental Health office confirmed to this media outlet that it does not require a social security number or ITIN to process it. Where to find help in Spanish Buncombe County Environmental Health has Spanish-speaking specialists and a food truck application available in Spanish . Phone: 828-250-5016. He The City of Asheville website can be read in Spanish using the translator located at the top right of the page. Goodwill offers the ServSafe certification course in safe food handling at its center located at 1616 Patton Avenue, in Asheville. According to Forero, the course is available in Spanish. To register, you must contact the Goodwill Training Center. For Your Wealth teaches business classes that help calculate the financial projections of a business venture. This <a target="_blank" href="https://enlacelatinonc.org/como-abrir-un-food-truck-en-asheville-requisitos-y-permisos/">article</a> first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://enlacelatinonc.org">Enlace Latino NCand is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. PARSELY = { autotrack: false, onload: function() { PARSELY.beacon.trackPageView({ url: "https://enlacelatinonc.org/como-abrir-un-food-truck-en-asheville-requisitos-y-permisos/", urlref: window.location.href }); } }

Copy to clipboard

1