San Mateo County, CA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Health Permit
- EHS MFF permit required
- Permit Year
- Feb 1 to Jan 31
- Fee
- $700-$1,200 annual
- Commissary
- Required, non-residence
- Contact
- EHS (650) 372-6200
Summary
Mobile food facilities operating in unincorporated San Mateo County must obtain a Mobile Food Facility (MFF) permit from San Mateo County Health Environmental Health Services (EHS), pay the annual permit fee, pass a pre-operational vehicle inspection, secure a commissary agreement with a permitted commercial kitchen, and hold a California Food Handler Card. MFF permits run February 1 through January 31 annually. Contact EHS at (650) 372-6200.
Existing law, the California Retail Food Code (the code), establishes uniform health and sanitation standards for, and provides for regulation by the State Department of Public Health of, retail food facilities and requires local health agencies to enforce these provisions. Existing law, for purposes of the code, defines a “cottage food operation” as an enterprise that has no more than a specified amount in gross annual sales, is operated by a cottage food operator, and has no more than 1 full-time employee within the registered or permitted area of a private home where the food products are prepared and packaged. Existing law provides for the regulation of microenterprise home kitchen opera
Full Breakdown
). Application is submitted through the MyEHS Portal or in person at 2000 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo. Requirements: pre-operational plan check, vehicle and equipment inspection, commissary agreement (food trucks cannot be parked/serviced at a residence per CalCode §114295), potable water and wastewater handling per code, 3-compartment warewashing sink, handwashing station with hot water, fire extinguisher (K-class for deep fryers), first aid kit, proper ventilation for cooking. At least one Certified Food Protection Manager per operation and all employees must hold a California Food Handler Card within 30 days of hire.
Permits are valid February 1 to January 31; annual renewal requires reinspection and payment of fees (approximately $700-$1,200 depending on truck complexity). Vehicles must display the MFF sticker. Temporary event operations require additional Temporary Food Facility (TFF) permits per event.
Violations & Fines
Operating without EHS permit: immediate closure order plus $250-$1,000 per CalCode §114395 and possible truck impoundment. Failed inspection (major health violation): immediate closure until corrected. Expired permit: $100-$500 per day. Commissary violations (using a residence): permit revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I park my food truck at home overnight?
Do I need a separate City permit if I operate across multiple San Mateo cities?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Mateo County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Mateo County to another location·View the California food trucks & mobile vendors overview
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