Mobile food facilities operating in unincorporated Riverside County must obtain an annual health permit from the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health, pass initial and periodic inspections, operate from a permitted commissary, and comply with California Retail Food Code (CalCode). Additional zoning and vending-location rules apply under county Ordinance 580 and Ordinance 348.
Every Mobile Food Facility (MFF) — taco truck, ice cream truck, food trailer, or pushcart — must have a current DEH permit sticker visible on the vehicle. Two classes exist: MFC (limited food prep) and MFF (full preparation). Operators submit plans, pass a pre-operational inspection, and pay annual fees (generally 300 to 800 dollars depending on class and risk). Trucks must return nightly to a permitted commissary for cleaning, potable water exchange, and wastewater disposal; a commissary letter is required at application. Operators must hold a current Food Handler Card and at least one Certified Food Protection Manager on staff. CalCode (Health & Safety Code 113700 et seq.) governs temperature control, handwashing, and cross-contamination standards. Riverside County further requires a county business license for MFFs based in unincorporated areas, and Ord. 348 limits vending from public roads — on-street vending is generally prohibited except in designated commercial zones. SB 972 since 2023 streamlined permits for sidewalk vendors. Violations result in point deductions on the posted inspection report; scores below 85 trigger re-inspection and may lead to permit suspension.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Riverside County code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
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