Mobile Food Facilities | Riverside County Department of Environmental Health

Food Trucks/Mobile Food Facilities

Mobile Food Facilities are inspected to ensure safe food handling practices, sanitation, and compliance with California Health and Safety Code and Riverside County Ordinances, just like fixed food facilities. Construction inspections, routine inspections, and complaint investigations, including foodborne illness complaints, are conducted.

There are five categories of Mobile Food Facility (MFF) that can be permitted:

Cart/Trailer - Low Risk: A Compact Mobile Food Operation that engages in prepackaged food only (e.g. prepackaged push carts).
Cart/Trailer - Medium Risk: A Compact Mobile Food Operation that engages in Limited Food Preparation (e.g. hot dog carts).
Truck - Low Risk: A motorized MFF that operates with prepackaged food only (e.g., ice cream trucks).
Truck - Medium Risk: A motorized MFF that engages in limited food preparation (e.g., shaved ice cart or hot dog cart).
Truck/Trailer - High Risk: A MFF that engages in full food preparation (e.g., food trucks).

Important Links

Interested in Starting a MFF Business?

Make sure to contact all relevant city or county agencies BEFORE setting up your MFF business. Laws and ordinances differ within city and county boundaries and may not allow you to sell in certain areas without their own form of approval (e.g., business license, zoning clearances, fire approval, etc.).

Food Facility Quick Links

Cal Code

Food Handler Certification

Plan Check

Food Manager Certification

Roadside Vending

Before you start your MFF business, read this document on roadside food vending.

Approved Mobile Food Facilities

Check out Permitted Food Carts/Trucks in Riverside County

Ability-to-Pay Administrative Citation Fines

Sidewalk Vending Citations Only

Riverside County Ordinance No. 580

Mobile Food Facilities and Commissary Requirements

MFF Informational Videos

MFF Documents

Mobile Food Facility Required Forms	Mobile Food Facility Informational Documents
MFF Permit Application	MFF Construction and Plan Approval Guidelines
Commissary Agreement Letter Within Riverside County \|Outside Riverside County	MFF Operational Guidelines for NON-PREPACKAGED vehicles English \| Spanish
Commissary Schedule/Route Sheet	Limited Food Preparation English \| Spanish
Written Operational Procedures Mobile Food Facility \| Mobile Support Unit	List of Commissaries: English \| Spanish
Alternative Storage Endorsement English \| Spanish	Planning Departments in Riverside County
Shared Kitchen Agreement Form English \| Spanish	Laboratories for Water Quality Analysis: English \| Spanish
	Can a Restaurant Be Used as a MFF Commissary?: English \| Spanish
	MFF Business Sign Requirements
	Prepackaged MFF
	Construction Guidelines for a MFF Commissary

Compact Mobile Food Operations (CMFOs)

Compact Mobile Food Operation (CMFO) is a mobile food facility that operates from a pushcart, pedal-driven cart, wagon, showcase, rack, or other nonmotorized transport. CMFOs can conduct limited food preparation of non-potentially hazardous and potentially hazardous food. Health and safety requirements will vary based on the menu and the type of operation.

CMFO Information Bulletin

Info Bull CMFO - Final.pdf

For more information on unpackaged CMFOs, contact our Plan Check Specialist Jeff Lojeski at [email protected] or (760)320-1048. Precione aqui para Español.

Mobile Food Facility Flowchart

MFF Flowchart.pdf

Not sure what Mobile Food Facility type you fall under? Check out our chart! Precione aqui para Español.

FAQs

CMFO FAQs.pdf

Still have questions about operating a Mobile Food Facility or CMFO? Check out the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Precione aqui para Español.