Food Trucks
A Mobile Cooking Operation (MCO) is a vehicle, trailer or cart which cooks, sells, or distributes food when parked. Public safety is of utmost importance, so MCOs must get certain permits and approvals before opening.
Some examples of MCOs include:
- Food truck
- Hot dog cart
- Doughnut shack
- Vending truck
Steps to getting approved:
1. Food Handling Permit
Firstly, you must obtain a Food Handling Permit. These permits are issued by Alberta Health Services.
2. Business License / Mobile Cooking Operation Permit
Your application will be reviewed by a City Safety Codes Officer, who will inform you if trade permits will also be required for your unit. Trades work (gas, electrical, etc.) must be completed by licensed contractors, with inspections to follow.
Once you have your MCO permit, it must be displayed on the unit.
To apply online, click here:
To apply in person:
Visit Planning and Development Services and we will assist you in completing your application at our customer kiosk or with your mobile device. Paper applications are no longer accepted.
Planning & Development Services
2nd floor, City Hall
580 1st Street SE
Medicine Hat, AB T1A 8E6
403-529-8374
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, excluding statutory holidays.
3. Fire Safety
In addition to your Fire Safety Inspection, you must have an approved Fire Safety Plan in place.
Annual Inspections
An annual inspection of Mobile Cooking Operations is mandatory.
The City of Medicine Hat offers an opportunity for all operators of local food trucks to gather in one location for unit evaluations and applications. This "Food Truck Roundup" occurs in the spring of each year, and includes:
- Alberta Health Services Inspections
- Safety Codes inspections
- Fire Safety inspections
- Business License renewals
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Approved Mobile Food Vendors
Latest update: Aug 5, 2025
Shown below are Mobile Food Vendors who have been inspected and are currently licensed for operation in the city of Medicine Hat. For information about these businesses, check local listings.
| Business name |
|---|
| Big J's Smoke Shack |
| CJ's Ice Cream Wagon |
| Cool Beans Coffee Inc. |
| Donut Commander Ltd. |
| Flamingo Fuel Stop |
| Fresh Squeezed Lemonade |
| Fryer Tuck's Food Truck |
| Haagen-Dudes |
| How Do You Roll? |
| Hucky Tucky Express |
| Kinfolk Burger Co. |
| Kona Ice of Medicine Hat |
| Loaded Cravings |
| Millie's |
| Mix Mix Ltd. (Camp Ice Cream Mobile) |
| Pickelo Kitchens |
| Pooty's Poutine |
| Pop's |
| Prairie Shave Ice |
| Road Runner Smash and Dash |
| Rudy's House of Hot Dogs |
| Stay Cool |
| Swirls Ice Cream (Mobile) |
| Tully's Mini Donuts |
| Whippletree Chuckwagon |
Look up a business
You can search for a local business or contractor to determine if there is a valid business license to operate in the city.
Contact Us
Planning & Development Services
580 1 St SE
Medicine Hat, Alberta
T1A 8E6
403-529-8374
Email us
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