Fil Fest USA presents Fil Fest 2024 at Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion in Portsmouth, VA

Vendors: Forms, Information, and Downloads

Festival Business License Application Checklist (The City of Portsmouth)
If further assistance in needed to complete Portsmouth forms, please use the following contact information:

Debra Wilburn
Lead Deputy Business License
Office of the Commissioner of the Revenue City of Portsmouth
757-393-8771 EXT 2119

Attached is the food truck permit application, which can be filled out on the computer.
At the bottom of the first page is a checklist of the other documents we need.
- A fire inspection that has been dated, a menu, proof of insurance, and pictures of the four exterior sides of the trailer are needed.
- The attached Commissary Agreement can be used to verify the commissary.
Please respond to this email or email application and materials to portsmouth.zoning@portsmouthva.gov.
There is an application fee of $50, which you can pay in person or we can process over the phone.
- If you plan to pay with a credit card, please fill out and submit the attached Credit Card Authorization Form.

You'll need to contact the Commissioner of the Revenue. They can be reached at 757-393-8771.
Be sure to ask about the Meal Tax Bond, as getting one can be a pain for some people.
Please be aware that they will not process your Business License application until after you have your Food Truck Permit.

You'll take your Business License there to get your Mobile Unit Permit.
You can call Bree Williams at 757-393-8585 x8529 for help with the Health Department part of the process.
After that, you'll be all set to vend in Portsmouth.

Food Truck Permits are valid for one year. Cannot transfer Food Truck Permit to another truck.
In non-residential districts, applicant can utilize food truck anywhere legal parking is allowed, except for downtown. Downtown is considered Effingham to the water and Queen Street to the interstate. Must be invited by the City to operate downtown, except for in front of the pavilion.
Operating in the Historic Residential (HR) zoned properties in the Olde Towne Historic District is prohibited.
In the other residential districts, you can only locate at a person’s house for a catering event for them personally.
A list of all of the food trucks permit in Portsmouth will be provided to Parks and Recreation Department and any other City Departments that hold public events.

If you have any questions - please call
Patrice Branch, Planner
City of Portsmouth, Planning and Zoning
757-393-8836 EXT 4263