Mobile Food Facilities

A Mobile Food Facility (MFF) means a vehicle used in conjunction with a commissary or other permanent food facility upon which food is sold or distributed at retail. An MFF does not include a transporter used to transport packaged food from a food facility or other approved source to the consumer (California Retail Food Code Section 113831). Each MFF must obtain and display a valid Health Permit to operate in Ventura County. Environmental Health Division staff review plans for new MFFs, conduct annual and routine inspections of permitted MFFs. For a list of currently permitted mobile food facilities in Ventura County, click the following link: Mobile Food Facilities List.

In Ventura County, the MFFs are categorized into four distinct types. The MFF type depends on the menu food items sold and the limitations of food operation in the MFF. To find out more information regarding the different type of MFFs, click on the links below.

NEW! COMPACT MOBILE FOOD OPERATIONS

• Construction Guidelines for Compact Mobile Food Operations – Prepackaged Food
• Pautas de Construcción de Operaciones Móviles Compactas de Alimentos – Alimentos Preenvasados
• Construction Guidelines for Compact Mobile Food Operations – Unpackaged Food
• Pautas de Construccion de Operaciones Moviles Compactas de Alimentos – Alimentos no Preenpaquetados

HOW DO I OBTAIN A HEALTH PERMIT FOR MY MOBILE FOOD FACILITY?

Plan Review

Except for MFF Type 1, all other types of MFFs are subject to a plan check review. To obtain an MFF permit, two (2) sets of plans, drawn to scale, showing all four (4) sides and a top view with a plumbing diagram must be submitted along with a completed plan check application (application for permit to construct) and all applicable plan review fees. Plans will be reviewed within twenty (20) working days, followed by an issuance of a rejection or approval letter. If plans are not approved, a list of needed corrections will be provided. Once all corrections are made, submit two (2) sets of the revised plans. It is advised to not begin building the MFF until plans have been approved.

Forms and Guidelines

• Electronic Plan Submittal Portal – Submit applications and plans online.
• Application for Permit to Construct Form – PDF
• Plan Check Guide For Mobile Food Facilities  – PDF
• Guía Para la Revisión de Planos Para Los Vehículos de Alimentos – PDF
• Mobile Food Facility Fees

Note:  Submitting plans does not give assurance that it will be approved.  

Inspection

Once plans are approved and the MFF has been built, an appointment for a construction inspection can be arranged with the MFF Plan Check Specialist. To avoid delay, the MFF must be built in accordance to the approved plans. When the construction inspection is complete, a health permit is issued to the MFF and placed on the left side of the vehicle with the presence of an inspector.

Permit Processing

After the final inspection, the permit application is processed, and a permit fee must be paid. Other forms such as an Approved Commissary Letter, Mobile Food Route Sheet, Toilet Facilities Authorization (necessary if the MFF is parked at one place for more than one hour), Manager’s food safety certificate, and/or a Food handler’s card and/or a Food handler’s card, Standard Operational Procedures or Written Operational Procedures must be provided.    

TYPES OF MOBILE FOOD FACILITIES

Type 1 – No plan check required if vehicle is a produce truck, bread/baked goods truck other prepackaged foods not requiring refrigeration. [Camioneta para productos agrícolas, camioneta para panes y otros productos horneados (no potencialmente peligrosos) que estén preempaquetados, alimentos especiales que no requieran control de temperatura]

Forms and Guidelines:

• Mobile Food Facility Type 1  – PDF
• Vehículo de Alimentos Tipo 1 – PDF
• Mobile Food Route Sheet (English & Spanish)- PDF
• Toilet Facilities Authorization (if operating at a location for more than one hour) – PDF

Type 2 – Ice Cream truck/cart, push carts, cold/hot trucks, catering truck with only packaged food, fish truck, grocery truck with eggs, cheese or milk, pizza truck. [Carrito o camioneta de paletas, lonchera sin alimentos abiertos, camioneta de pescados, camioneta de abarrotes con huevos, queso, o leche]

Forms and Guidelines:

• Cold/Hot Truck Requirements
• Ice Cream Truck Requirements
• Approved Commissary Letter – PDF
• Approved Food Source Form (for cold / hot trucks only)
• Mobile Food Route Sheet  (English & Spanish)- PDF
• Toilet Facilities Authorization (if operating at a location for more than one hour) – PDF

Type 3 – Hot dog cart/trailer, coffee/cappuccino cart/trailer, churro/ pretzel cart, roasted almonds cart, kettlecorn/popcorn cart, shaved ice cart. [Carrito/trailer de hot dogs, carrito/trailer de café/ capuchino, carrito de churros/pretzels (galletas salada en forma de nudo), carrito de raspados]

Forms and Guidelines:

• Coffee Cart Guidelines
• Hot Dog Cart Guidelines
• Churros/Pretzel Carts Guidelines
• Approved Commissary Letter – PDF
• Mobile Food Route Sheet  (English & Spanish) – PDF
• Toilet Facilities Authorization (if operating at a location for more than one hour) – PDF
• Food Handler’s Card for all employees working the cart
• Manager’s Food Safety Certificate (only for coffee carts/trucks and hot dog carts)
• Written Operational Procedures

Type 4 – Catering Truck, Softserve Ice Cream Truck, Mobile Kitchen Trailers [Lonchera con alimentos abiertos, tráiler con cocina móvil]

Forms and Guidelines:

• Mobile Food Facility Type 4 – PDF
• Vehiculo de Alimentos Tipo 4  – PDF
• Approved Commissary Letter – PDF
• Mobile Food Route Sheet  (English & Spanish)  – PDF
• Toilet Facilities Authorization (if operating at a location for more than one hour) – PDF
• Food Handler’s Card for all employees working the cart
• Manager’s Food Safety Certificate (only for coffee carts/trucks and hot dog carts)
• Written Operational Procedures

Commissary – A Commissary is a food facility that services MFFs, Mobile Support Unit (MSU), or vending machines where any of the following occur:

1. Food, containers, or supplies are stored
2. Food is prepared or prepackaged for sale or service at other locations
3. Utensils are cleaned
4. Liquid and solid wastes are disposed, or potable water is obtained(California Retail Food Code Section 113751)

Forms and Guidelines:

• Commissary Plan Check Guidelines
• Approved Commissaries in Ventura County – PDF

For More Information:

• MFF Only Event Notification Form – PDF
• Unpermitted Food Vending – English and Spanish – PDF
• Mobile Food Facility Fees
• MFF Frequently Asked Questions – English & Spanish – PDF