A mobile food facility, commonly known as a food truck or food cart, is a vehicle used for a variety of food activities. A food facility that has space for storage of food vehicles and is equipped to provide for the daily cleaning, servicing, and has space for food storage and food preparation is known as a commissary. Carts may use a mobile support unit (MSU) for onsite cleaning and servicing and at the end of the day the MSU transports food from the cart to the approved commissary. The MSU must also be serviced, cleaned and stored daily in an approved commissary. It is against the law to store or prepare food and/or beverages or any food related items at a private home or unapproved structures.

A mobile food facility, commissary and MSU each need a valid health permit from this agency before starting a business in any city in Orange County. After a health permit is issued, our staff continues to provide inspections, information, and guidance to operators to ensure food is handled in a safe manner.

Helpful Vehicle Information

• MFF Operational Procedures
• Construction Guidelines
• Plan Check Submittal Checklist
• Self Assessment Inspection Checklist
• Mobile Food Facilities in Orange County
• Commissary/Restroom Requirements
  English
  Spanish
• Approved Commissary Listing
• Manufacture/Builder Listing
• Change of Ownership/Termination of Ownership
• Health Permit Application
• Cities in OC
• How to Obtain OC MFF Permit

Here are some examples of mobile food facilities:

Unpackaged Trucks/Trailers

Examples: catering trucks, taco trailers, lunch trucks, hot trucks, chef trucks or any fully enclosed vehicle used for food preparation activities. All food preparation, cooking and storage must occur inside the vehicle or at an approved commissary.

Prepackaged Trucks

Examples: ice cream trucks and grocery trucks or any mobile food facility that stores and sells only prepackaged food. If prepackaged perishable foods are sold, approved refrigeration is required on the vehicle.

Unpackaged Carts

Examples: carts selling churros, pretzels, popcorn, shaved ice, hot dogs and coffee/cappuccino. These carts can serve unpackaged food with limited food preparation.

Prepackaged Carts

Examples: Carts selling prepackaged ice cream and chips. These types of carts are limited to selling of prepackaged foods only.

If you are not sure about a type of facility, how to get a health permit to operate in Orange County, or have questions pertaining to regulations, please contact us at (714) 433-6416.