Los Angeles food trucks must obtain a Mobile Food Facility (MFF) permit from LA County Department of Public Health (~$702/year) plus an LA Business Tax Registration Certificate. Trucks must operate from an approved commissary, return nightly, and may not park in one location longer than allowed by LAMC §80.73 metered/posted limits.
Los Angeles food trucks operate under joint county-city regulation. The LA County Department of Public Health issues the Mobile Food Facility (MFF) permit under California Health & Safety Code §113700 (CalCode), with annual fees roughly $702 for full-prep trucks. Operators must affiliate with an approved commissary kitchen for nightly cleaning, water dumping, and food storage. Within the City of Los Angeles, LAMC Chapter VIII Article 2 §80.73 governs vending from vehicles: trucks may not vend in any one location for more than 30 minutes in commercial zones and 60 minutes in industrial zones. LAMC §80.73(b)(2)(C) prohibits stopping within 500 feet of a school during the period from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM on school days. A Business Tax Registration Certificate from the LA Office of Finance is also required. Vending in residential zones is prohibited except for catered events.
Operating without an MFF permit is a misdemeanor under CalCode and can trigger immediate shutdown plus fines from $100 up to $1,000 per day. LAMC §80.73 violations carry citations starting at $50 first offense, escalating to $250+. Health Department impound fees for unpermitted trucks can exceed $1,000. Repeat offenders may lose commissary affiliation.
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