Food trucks operating in Mission Viejo must obtain a business license from the city and a health permit from the Orange County Health Care Agency. Mobile food facilities may operate on private property with the property owner's written consent but are restricted from operating on public streets and in residential zones without special event authorization. The city regulates hours of operation and location requirements.
Mission Viejo Municipal Code regulates mobile food vendors as part of its business licensing and zoning requirements. Food trucks and mobile food facilities must obtain a City of Mission Viejo business license and carry a valid Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) Mobile Food Facility permit. OCHCA classifies mobile food operations as either Mobile Food Facility (MFF) for vehicles or Mobile Food Preparation Unit (MFPU) and requires separate permits for each. All mobile food vendors must display their health permit prominently. Food trucks may operate on private commercial or industrial property with written permission from the property owner. Operation on residential streets or within residential zones is generally prohibited unless authorized as part of a special event with a city-issued temporary use permit. Vendors must maintain a minimum distance of 500 feet from schools during school hours and comply with noise ordinances limiting amplified sound and generator noise. Operating hours are typically limited to between 7:00 AM and 10:00 PM. Food trucks must be self-contained with no external power cords, drainage to the ground, or connections to buildings. Wastewater must be contained and properly disposed of at an approved facility.
Operating without a valid business license or health permit may result in an administrative citation starting at $100 for the first offense and increasing to $500 for subsequent violations. The OCHCA may suspend or revoke the health permit for sanitation violations. Vehicles operating in prohibited zones may be cited by code enforcement or the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
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