Campbell County Permit Overview
Operators wanting to run a food truck in Campbell County — including Newport, Cold Spring, Alexandria, Highland Heights, Wilder, and Dayton — need a Mobile Food Unit (MFU) permit from the Northern Kentucky Health Department. The permit process is identical to Boone and Kenton counties: submit a commissary agreement and plan review to NKY Health, pass a pre-operation inspection, and pay the ~$150 annual fee.
Campbell County is particularly valuable for NKY operators because Newport is directly across the Ohio River from Cincinnati's downtown and riverfront district, making it a natural base for operators who want Cincinnati foot traffic without entering Ohio's permitting system.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Agency | Northern Kentucky Health Department |
| Phone | (859) 341-4151 |
| Address | 8001 Veterans Memorial Drive, Florence, KY 41042 |
| Annual Fee (MFU) | ~$150 |
| Counties Covered | Campbell, Boone, Kenton, Grant |
| Key Cities | Newport, Cold Spring, Alexandria, Highland Heights, Wilder, Dayton KY |
Newport's 250-Foot Restaurant Rule
Newport, Kentucky passed a food truck ordinance that includes a 250-foot proximity restriction: food trucks may not operate within 250 feet of a brick-and-mortar restaurant that serves the same type of food. This rule applies to public right-of-way locations in Newport. On private property, the rule does not apply — a food truck operating from a private parking lot or event space is not subject to the proximity restriction.
The 250-foot rule has been a point of ongoing debate in Newport's city council, and the ordinance wording has been reviewed for clarification. Before selecting a permanent public pitch in Newport, verify the current rule status with Newport City Hall's Code Enforcement office. The rule does not apply in Cold Spring, Alexandria, or other Campbell County municipalities.
Newport on the Levee & Riverfront Events
Newport on the Levee and the adjoining riverfront are high-traffic venues for food truck operators. Your NKY Health MFU permit is valid for these locations — Campbell County is within NKY Health's jurisdiction. However, Newport on the Levee has its own vendor selection and contract process for operators wanting a regular pitch at the property. Contact Newport on the Levee's management directly for vendor opportunities; they are separate from the health permit process.
For major riverfront events (Cincinnati Riverfest, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, and similar events with Newport components), the event organizer typically requires proof of your health permit plus their own vendor application and insurance certificate. Your NKY Health permit satisfies the health requirement for Newport-side events.
Dayton, KY — Small City Considerations
Dayton, Kentucky (population ~5,500), also in Campbell County, has historically had limited food truck activity. NKY Health jurisdiction applies throughout Campbell County including Dayton. The city does not have a published food truck ordinance as of 2025 — confirm with Dayton City Hall before operating on public right-of-way.