Mobile Food Facilities (MFF)
What is a Mobile Food Facility?
A Mobile Food Facility (MFF) is any vehicle used in conjunction with a commissary or other permanent food facility upon which food is sold or distributed at retail. This department is responsible for the inspection of various types of MFFs to ensure the safety of consumers by reviewing plan checks for the facility as well as issuing valid health permits to those that are compliant with California regulations.
Application Process
Before applying for a Mobile Food Facility Permit, go through the following steps and read through the MFF Construction and Operation Guide.
- After Submittal
- Business Permit
- Commissary
- Food Safety Certification
- HCD Food Truck Remodel/New Inspection
- Plan Check Application Process
- Restroom Facilities
Once you submit your Application Packet and pay the appropriate fees, an Environmental Health Specialist will review your application. Upon approval from our department, construction or remodeling may begin.
Once construction is complete, and you have an HCD approval, you can request a final inspection.
Following final inspection approval, a Certificate of Operation may be applied for, and a sticker will be issued.
Business permits are separate from food permits and must be obtained through the local city or county Business License Office.
Prior to receiving a Certificate of Operation from this department, you must have a valid Business Permit.
All MFF's are required to operate out of an approved commissary as required by the California Retail Food Code. The MFF has to be stored at or within the commissary or another approved location by this department.
When submitting your Plan Check Application, include the Commissary Verification Form that is to be filled out by the Commissary owner.
Please see our list of approved commissaries here: Approved Commissary List 01/10/2025
MFF's that prepare or handle non-packaged potentially hazardous food must have either the owner or an employee who has passed an approved Food Manager's Food Safety Certification exam. The exam is proctored and therefore cannot be taken online.
At this time, Nevada County is not offering an in-person Food Manager Safety Certification class and examination. As this situation changes, this website will be updated accordingly.
If you are planning to build or construct a new mobile food facility (MFF), or are wanting to apply for a health permit with an existing mobile food facility that has never been permitted in the State of California, please carefully read the following:
All mobile food facilities (MFF) in the state of California, whether truck or trailer, in which the operator occupies (i.e., stands inside of) are required to obtain an HCD Insignia for the food truck or trailer. The MFF must have an HCD Insignia in order to obtain a health permit with the local health department.
The CA Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is the agency that inspects and issues HCD Insignias for Mobile Food Facilities. Please note, when working with HCD, mobile food facilities are categorized as commercial modulars or special purpose commercial modulars.
For more information about the requirements and process to obtain an HCD Insignia, please visit the CA HCD website Manufactured & Mobilehome Insignia | California Department of Housing and Community Development or contact the Northern Area Office at naostaff@hcd.ca.gov.
Application for Inspection to Obtain Insignia (submit to HCD) HCD MH 415 Application.
Once the above steps are all completed, you may submit your plans. There are two types of Plan Checks to apply for:
- MAJOR: New Construction, Major Remodel, or Mobile Food Facilities that have not been previously Permitted in Nevada County or another jurisdiction.
- MINOR: Existing mobile facilities that have been previously permitted by Nevada County or another jurisdiction
Specifications on what is required on your plans can be found in the MFF Plan Check Guidelines packet (below). The following are required in the Application Packet:
- Commissary Verification Form
- Menu
- Restroom Verification Form
- Specification Sheets
- Two (2) sets of Plans
- Written Operational Procedures
Though our department prefers electronic submittals, Plan Checks are too extensive to be submitted online. Please turn in all required documents either in person or by mail.
MFF's must have an approved and readily available restroom and handwashing facility within 200 feet from the MFF if operated for more than one hour at any given location.
The Restroom Verification form is included in the Application Packet.
Forms and Applications Opens a New Window. Opens a New Window.
- Certificate of Operation Application
- Commissary Alternative Storage Variance Form
- Commissary Verification Form
- Compact Mobile Food Operation
- MFF Major Plan Check Packet Opens a New Window.
- MFF Minor Plan Check Packet Opens a New Window. Opens a New Window.
- MFF Reciprocity Packet
- MFF Restroom Verification Form Opens a New Window.
- MFF Written Operational ProceduresMFF Opens a New Window
Guidance Documents
Mobile Food Facility Fees
| Certificate of Operation (Annual Permit) | $595.50 |
| Compact Mobile Non-motorized | $357.30 |
| Major Plan Check Application | $1905.60 |
| Minor Plan Check Application | $714.60 |