TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC OUR OFFICE IS CURRENTLY CLOSED. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON VEHICLE PERMITTING AND PAYMENT INCLUDING FREE PAYMENT ONLINE
All Mobile Food Facilities (MFF) that are either renewing or obtaining their public health permit for the first time will need to comply with the following procedures: submit and get construction plan APPROVAL if required, pass a Health & Safety Code inspection, pay permit fees and verify all information is accurate on health permit application submittal. After the vehicle is approved to operate in Orange County a colored decal will be affixed to the vehicle or cart indicating approval has been granted.
As of January 2021, a paper health permit, which has been designed to look like all other health permits issued to food operations in Orange County will be mailed to the business owners current mailing address, therefore please verify all information provided on your application submittal is accurate. The state health code requires all food operations post their health permit in a location where your customers can see it.
VEHICLE PERMIT RENEWALS– It is the business owner’s responsibility to maintain a valid Orange County health permit on the vehicle or notify this Agency in writing at the time of any change in ownership, sale of the vehicle, or if the vehicle stops operation in Orange County. At time of the change, written notification is done by submitting by mail or email toEHPermits@ochca.coma Change of Ownership / Termination of Ownership form found atwww.ocfoodinfo.com/mobileor clickHERE.Vehicles operating without a valid permit are subject to closure.
If you have not received your 2021 health permit, call 714-433-6416 to schedule an appointment.
Vehicles with lapsed permits will need to meet current California Retail Food Code requirements, which may involve upgrades and plan submittal before a permit is issued. For more information call 714-433-6416.
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.
Useful Links
CDFA Dairy Safety — To be allowed to serve ice cream (including soft serve) and yogurt
HCD 415 Application — Occupied mobile food facilities with electrical and/or gas connections, plumbing etc. must be certified by HCD.
Vehicle Program Awarded for Achievements at the OC Fair The Food Vehicle Program was recognized by the Orange County Business Council with an honorable mention award for "Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet" in the category of “Bureaucracy Busters” for their work at the OC Fair. The Vehicle Program created a food safety and inspection tools to expedite the inspection and permit process and allow the food vendors to open on time for the 1.3 million OC Fair patrons. The new approach includes pre Fair coordination with the stakeholders, development of a Self-Inspection form for the Fair operators, and bringing in a team of food inspectors to inspect all the Food Vehicles on the first day of the Fair. This approach has helped to facilitate the opening and permitting of the Vehicles in a timely manner, given more responsibility to the Fair food vendors, and focused the inspection efforts more on issues of public health significance.
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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.
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.
Examples: carts selling churros, pretzels, popcorn, shaved ice, hot dogs and coffee/cappuccino. These carts can serve unpackaged food with limited food preparation.
Examples: Carts selling prepackaged ice cream and chips. These types of carts are limited to selling of prepackaged foods only.