A health permit to operate a Mobile Food Facility will not be issued unless all construction and operational requirements are met.

Prior to being issued a health permit to operate a Mobile Food Facility, all Mobile Food Facilities must undergo an initial consultation or construction plan check.

It is unlawful to build a Mobile Food Facility without prior written approval from this office.

• View the Mobile Food Facility Consultation and Construction Permitting page for more information regarding consultation and construction requirements.

If you have already been working with this Agency and have already completed a construction plan check or consultation for your Mobile Food Facility and an inspector has determined that the Mobile Food Facility is eligible for health permitting, please proceed to step 2.

If you are considering a Mobile Food Facility for purchase, consult the resource material below to ensure it will meet the requirements. Please note a Housing and Community Development (HCD) certification is required for all occupiable MFFs, including those previously certified that have been modified or remodeled since the last certification date.

• As Applicable, review the Compact Mobile Food Operation Construction Guidelines - Prepackaged Non-PHF
• As Applicable, review the Compact Mobile Food Operation Construction Guidelines - Unpackaged Food/PHF
• As Applicable,review the Mobile Food Facility Operation and Construction Requirements for Prep Units
• As Applicable, review operational guidelines for Unenclosed Mobile Food Facility Prep Units (in addition to document above)
• Information regarding Housing and Community Development (HCD) licensing
• Information regarding licensing and permitting for soft-serve ice cream and yogurt products

A prospective new owner is encouraged to contact our Agency with questions prior to purchasing or constructing any Mobile Food Facility. Additional consultation or construction plan check requirements will be determined during that time.

 

FIRST TIME APPLICANT INITIAL PERMIT APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL FORMS

Complete and submit the following items listed below.

• Click here to download all mobile food facility permit application forms and documents in one packet.

Individual forms can be downloaded below:

1. Health permit application

• Click here to download the health permit application.

2. Proposed menu and food service operations

• Click here to download the Menu Items and Food service Operations form.

3. Mobile Food Facility Commissary Review/Needs Assessment Form

All mobile food facilities must operate in conjunction with a commissary, mobile support unit, or other facility approved by Environmental Health Services to store all food and equipment and perform all food preparation activities. All mobile food facilities must report to the commissary on a daily basis for cleaning and servicing.

• Click here to view information regarding Commissaries and other approved Shared Permanent Food Facilities

The commissary will be reviewed for approval by this department prior to granting a permit to operate. The proposed menu and food operations will determine the commissary needs of the mobile food facility operator. 

• Click here to download a Mobile Food Facility Commissary Review Form.

*Exemptions apply for mobile food facilities operating in conjunction with a permitted mobile support unit.  please contact our office at (805) 781-5544 for more information on mobile support unit permitting.

4. Commissary Use Agreement Form

A use agreement form completed and signed by both the permit holder of the commissary and the mobile food facility permit holder is required. 

• Click here to download a Commissary Use Agreement Form.

Please note, if you are the permit holder for both the mobile food facility and the commissary, then this submission of a signed commissary form is not required. 

• Click here to visit our page on obtaining a food facility health permit for information on how to permit your commissary location.

5. Written Operational Procedures for Mobile Food Facility Operators

• Click here to download the Written Operational Procedures for Mobile Food Facility Operators form.

6. Restroom Use Agreement form

Mobile Food Facilities which stop at a single location for one hour or more are required to secure restroom facilities for use by employees.  A separate form is required for each location as applicable.

• Click here to download the Restroom Use Agreement form.

7. Written Operational Procedures for Mobile Support Units (as applicable)

If your planned operation will depend on a Mobile Support Unit (MSU) for daily servicing then additional Written Operational Procedures are required in addition to a separate health permit to operate a Mobile Support Unit.

• Click here to download the Written Operational Procedures for Mobile Support Units form.

 

EXISTING PERMIT HOLDERS ANNUAL RENEWAL FORMS

Complete and submit the following items listed below.

• Click here to download both mobile food facility annual permit renewal forms and documents in one packet.

Individual forms can be downloaded below:

1. Mobile Food Facility Annual Update Form

• Click here to download the Mobile Food Facility Annual Update Form.

2. Proposed menu and food service operations

• Click here to download the Menu Items and Food service Operations form.

• All Mobile Food Facilities where nonprepackaged potentially hazardous foods are handled and/or served must have at least one owner or employee who has successfully passed a food safety certification course.

 

• Proof of certification shall be provided upon request for a permit to operate or within 60 days of obtaining a permit to operate.

 

• A food handler card obtained through an online course will only be acceptable for Mobile Food Facility employees in addition to the certified owner or employee, not in lieu of the certification course. Click here to download a list of food safety certification course options.

The permit fee is due with the application. Please refer to the Environmental Health Permit Fee Schedule for more information.

After steps 1 - 4 have been completed, contact us to schedule an inspection. It is encouraged to have the inspection occur at the commissary or operating location, however, if this is not possible, other arrangements can be made.

Upon completion of a passing inspection, a permit sticker will be affixed to the exterior of the Mobile Food Facility.  Please note, it is unlawful to operate a Mobile Food Facility without the health permit sticker affixed to the exterior.  Additionally, a paper version of the health permit will be mailed out 2-4 weeks after payment has been made and approval to operate has been granted by the inspector.

• View the Mobile Food Facility inspection page and for information on requesting an inspection.