Mobile food facilities (MFF)

Learn about a Compact Mobile Food Operation (CMFO)

A mobile food facility (MFF) is a motorized truck, trailer or cart that sells food. If it is a cart that sells food and is not motorized it is considered a compact mobile food operation.

Before starting a MFF, you must contact all the cities where you want to sell your food. Each city may have different rules, so it's important to check with them. You want to make sure that you can legally sell food in the areas where you plan to operate. 

Plan approval must be obtained from our office before constructing or remodeling any food truck or cart.

Gather the following information to include with your application. We cannot accept your application without the following documents.

• Prior permitting: If previously permitted in another California county or city, submit a copy of the latest permit to operate the MFF. You can get this permit by contacting the city or county office that issued the permit.
• Documentation: Submit plans and specification sheets for all equipment on the vehicle. If previously approved, submit a copy of the plans and specification sheets that have been stamped approved by a California county or city agency. We cannot process your application without plans regardless if the vehicle is new, used, or if you propose a custom built MFF.
• Compliance: If the vehicle is already built, the State of California Housing and Community Development has to have issued an approval insignia. Submit a photo of the insignia with your application.

For additional information, review starting a food truck, trailer, or cart in Marin County. This document is available in English and Spanish.

The first question we will ask you is if you are planning to operate a new OR a used MFF.

All MFFs construction plans need to be approved by a California County or city agency. If you are planning to operate a new, used, or remodeled MFF, our office will also need to review and approve the plans.

Approval of the MFF plans by our office is required before applying for a permit to operate. A fee to review the MFF plans is required, and the fee is based on if you have the previously approved plans or if you plan to operate a new MFF. 

Here is what you need to submit to have your MFF plans approved:

• A complete plan check application found on the last page of the plan check guidelines document for mobile food facilities.
• Appropriate plan check fee
• Three (3) sets of plans – new OR previously stamped-approved plans
• Specification sheets for all equipment on the vehicle

Before constructing or remodeling your MFF be sure to contact us for a full review. You will need an operating permit from us before you open for business.    

Please review the plan check guidelines for mobile food facilities. You will find the plan review application on the last page of this document.

• You need to complete the mobile food facility application and information packet and submit the application to our office along with the annual operating permit fee. The application and information is available in English and Spanish.
• The approval process to get your permit can take 15 business days or longer.
• Once the application is reviewed, you will be contacted to schedule an inspection of your MFF.
• Following a successful inspection, you'll receive approval from EHS and a permit sticker to display on your vehicle. You can start selling food once you have the permit.

What will need to be provided for the application?

• Complete the application in full.
• Include a food safety plan detailing how you'll maintain safe food temperatures and clean your equipment and food preparation surfaces.
• Provide a daily sales location schedule.
• Include a shared food facility/commissary agreement - All mobile food businesses will need a commissary to provide access to clean water, waste disposal, and storage. If your commissary is outside Marin County, the agreement must be signed by the local Environmental Health Services office.
• Plans that have been stamped approved by a California county or city agency.
• Photo of the insignia issued by the State of California Housing and Community Development for the vehicle.
• Copy of the latest permit to operate the MFF from the city or county office that issued the permit.

 Once permitted, you may begin to operate.  The following items must be submitted:  

• Within 60 days -  Each MFF will need to have at least one person with a Food Protection Manager Certificate. This is usually a Person In Charge.
• Within 30 days - All other employees must have a California Food Handler Card within 30 days of hire.

We accept applications by email or in printed form. Applications cannot be processed without fee payment. You can call the number provided on this page to make payments by Visa or MasterCard.  

If you choose to hand deliver your application, please arrive 1 hour before closing to allow our office staff time to process.

Please contact us if you have additional questions or need assistance.