Food Trucks

people lined up at a food truck

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

Rules of Operation

Approval process
 
Food Handling Permit 
Firstly, you must obtain a Food Handling Permit. These permits are issued by Alberta Health Services.
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 below:

Apply online


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

Ph. (403) 529-8374

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, excluding statutory holidays.

Fire Safety

In addition to your Fire Safety Inspection, you must have an approved Fire Safety Plan in place.

Contact Fire Services  Fire Safety Plan

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

If you have made an application for a Mobile Cooking Operation with the City in the past, you will be automatically notified by mail, in advance of the inspection event.


Approved Mobile Food Vendors

Latest update: Nov 5, 2024

Shown below are Mobile Food Vendors who have been inspected and are currently licensed for operation in the city of Medicine Hat. For info about these businesses, check local listings.

Approved Mobile Food Vendors
Business name
Big J's Smoke Shack
Cool Beans Coffee Inc.
Donut Commander Ltd.
Dunmore Lights Snack Shack
Fresh Squeezed Lemonade
Frosty Flavour House
Fryer Tuck's Food Truck
Haagen-Dudes
Kona Ice of Medicine Hat
Lara's Cuisine
Loaded Cravings
Millie's
Mix Mix Ltd. (Camp Ice Cream Mobile)
Pickelo Kitchens
Pooty's Poutine
Pop's
Rudy's House of Hot Dogs
SixOneSix Express Food Services
Stay Cool
Sunqueen Foods Ltd.
Swirls Ice Cream (Mobile)