Fayette County (Lexington) Permit Overview
Food truck operators in Lexington need a Mobile Food Unit permit from the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department. Fayette County operates its own health district separate from NKY Health — the application and inspection process is similar, but fees and procedures differ.
The most notable Lexington-specific rule: the $25 per-location fee. Every location in Fayette County where you regularly operate requires a separate $25 location permit in addition to your annual MFU permit fee. This applies to NKY operators who expand their territory to include Lexington — you'll pay the $25 fee for each Lexington spot you use, on top of your home-district annual permit.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Agency | Lexington-Fayette County Health Department |
| Phone | (859) 252-2371 |
| Website | lfchd.org |
| MFU Permit Fee | Varies; call for current schedule |
| Location Fee | $25 per operating location in Fayette County |
| 48-hr Notice | Required for out-of-district operators entering Fayette County |
Lexington Food Truck Scene
Lexington has a growing food truck community centered around the University of Kentucky campus (Euclid Avenue corridor), the Distillery District, and downtown Main Street. The city does not have designated public food truck zones comparable to some larger cities — most operators work from private property agreements with businesses, breweries, and event venues. The Lexington Farmers Market and various outdoor festivals are major food truck revenue venues in season.