What SB 150 Changed
Before October 2019, operating a food truck at events across Ohio was a permitting nightmare. An operator based in Hamilton County who wanted to serve at a festival in Franklin County and then a farmers market in Delaware County needed temporary licenses from each county health department — separate applications, separate fees, separate inspections. For vendors who traveled to 10 or 15 events per year in different counties, this system cost hundreds of dollars and dozens of hours in paperwork.
Ohio Senate Bill 150, signed into law in October 2019 and effective through the Ohio Department of Health rulemaking process, ended that system. The law created a single statewide Mobile Food Service Operation (MFSO) license structure under ORC 3717. Key provisions:
- Any Ohio health district can issue an MFSO license to an operator headquartered in their district
- That license is recognized as valid in all 88 Ohio counties — no separate county applications, no temporary event permits (with limited exceptions)
- All MFSO licenses expire on March 1 annually, regardless of issue date
- The Ohio Department of Health maintains statewide standards so that a license in one district means you've met requirements everywhere
How to Use Your SB 150 License Across Ohio
Using your statewide MFSO across county lines requires no paperwork and no advance notification (unlike Kentucky's 48-hour notice requirement). You simply show up with your valid MFSO license — which must be posted visibly in your truck — and you are legally authorized to operate. Local health districts may conduct inspections at events they're monitoring, but a valid MFSO license means you cannot be required to obtain a separate license from that county.
Best practices when operating outside your home district:
- Keep a physical copy of your MFSO license in the truck at all times
- Know your license number — inspectors may ask
- If an inspector questions your out-of-district operation, cite Ohio Revised Code 3717 and the SB 150 statewide reciprocity provision
- Contact your home health district if you encounter resistance — they can confirm your license status with the other district
The Cincinnati City Exception
SB 150 covers health licensing — it does not override municipal zoning authority. The City of Cincinnati has used its municipal zoning powers to layer a city-specific mobile vendor registration requirement on top of the statewide MFSO license for trucks operating within Cincinnati city limits.
This means: if you hold a valid Ohio MFSO from any health district, you are health-licensed to operate in Cincinnati. But to operate on public right-of-way or in certain designated areas within the city, you may also need to register with the City of Cincinnati separately. This is a zoning/city regulatory requirement — not a health requirement — and SB 150 does not override it.
Contact the Cincinnati Health Department's Food Safety and Inspections division or Cincinnati's City Manager's office for the current status of city overlay registration requirements. As of late 2025, the city was also debating a revised food truck ordinance that could affect where trucks may legally operate downtown and in OTR. See our Cincinnati Food Truck Zones guide for current status.
Which Ohio County Should You Get Licensed In?
Since your MFSO is statewide regardless of which district issues it, the choice of home district is primarily about convenience:
| If You're Based Near… | Get Licensed Through… | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati / Hamilton County | Cincinnati Health Dept. | eztrak.cagis.org |
| Mason / Lebanon / Springboro | Warren County Health District | (513) 695-1220 |
| Batavia / Milford / Loveland | Clermont County Public Health | (513) 732-7499 |
| Hamilton / Oxford / Middletown | Butler County General Health District | (513) 863-1770 |
| Dayton metro | Public Health — Dayton & Montgomery | (937) 225-4550 |
Fee levels vary somewhat between districts, though the Ohio Department of Health sets a framework. Hamilton County / Cincinnati is the highest-fee district in the region at $359–$402/year. Suburban districts (Warren, Clermont, Butler) tend to be moderately lower. If cost is the deciding factor and you're not specifically based in Cincinnati, licensing through a suburban Ohio district is a legitimate option — the statewide coverage is identical.
The March 1 Expiration Date
SB 150 standardized MFSO expiration dates statewide: all Ohio MFSO licenses expire on March 1. This is a feature, not a bug — it means:
- You only need to track one renewal deadline per year
- If you get your initial license in November, it expires the following March 1 — about 4 months later. Your first renewal fee is due before March 1 of the year after that.
- The 25% late penalty kicks in immediately after March 1. Set a reminder for mid-February.
- Cincinnati Health Department's ezTrak portal (eztrak.cagis.org) handles online renewal. Other districts may have their own renewal processes — confirm with your home district.
SB 150 and the Low-Risk MRFE (2024 Update)
A 2024 change to Ohio's food safety rules created a new license tier — the Low Risk Mobile Retail Food Establishment (MRFE) — at approximately half the standard MFSO fee. This applies to operators selling shelf-stable goods, baked goods, eggs, and similar low-risk items. The Low Risk MRFE is also subject to SB 150 statewide reciprocity. See our Low-Risk MRFE guide for qualification criteria.
Does SB 150 Cover Kentucky or Indiana?
No. SB 150 is Ohio state law covering Ohio licensing. It has no effect on Kentucky or Indiana permit requirements. To operate in Kentucky, you need a Kentucky MFU permit regardless of your Ohio license status. To operate in Indiana, you need an Indiana mobile food license. There is no multi-state reciprocity agreement covering the Ohio River corridor.