0

Mobile Food Trucks

You are here: Home Unified Permit Center Discretionary Permits & Zoning Publications Mobile Food Trucks
Mobile Food Facility Health Permit

Mobile Food Facilities are inspected to ensure safe food handling practices, sanitation and compliance with California Health and Safety Code, just like fixed food facilities.

California Health and Safety Code Section 114294 requires that all food vehicles and carts operate out of an approved commissary.

Please note that if parking for longer than one hour, a food truck must be within 200 feet of a public restroom.

Summary

Mobile food trucks are large, motorized vehicles equipped with facilities for cooking and selling food. To accommodate activities that contribute to the quality of life, economic vitality or public interest, Santa Cruz County permits mobile food trucks by right within any commercial zone district, including Neighborhood Commercial (C-1), Community Commercial (C-2), Visitor Accommodations (VA), Tourist Commercial (CT), Professional Administrative Office (PA), Workplace Flex (C-3), and Commercial Services (C-4) zoning districts.

Restrictions

Sales from vehicles in the public right-of-way are not allowed and considered to be a nuisance (SCCC Codes 9.70.640, 9.70.650, and 9.7.660).

Environmental Health Permit Required

No food truck shall operate anywhere in the County jurisdiction without a Mobile Food Facility permit issued by the Environmental Health Department.

Food Trucks in County Parks

Visit the Santa Cruz County Parks Department website (or email reservations@scparks.com) for information on their Concessionaire Program, which offers permits for vending within County managed parks and parking lots. The parks office may also be reached by phone at (831) 454-7938.

Food truck operations in parks are subject to restrictions based on park-specific regulations and general rules of operation. The County reserves the right to control, either directly or through separate agreement, all concessions on park property.

No concession shall sell or offer for sale any intoxicating liquor in or about community buildings or parking facilities without prior consent of the Parks Department, which includes a use permit. Alcoholic beverages dispensed or distributed without charge or included in the price of admission must also be approved by the use permit forms.

TOP