Butte County, CA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required from
- County Enforcement Agency
- Adopted
- Ord. No. 4080, May 6, 2014
- Permit term
- Through Dec. 31 of issuance year
- Late renewal fee
- 10%-50% surcharge after Dec. 31
- Transferability
- Permits are non-transferable
- First-offense fine
- Up to $100
Summary
No mobile food preparation unit or food vehicle may operate in unincorporated Butte County without a valid public health permit from the county's Enforcement Agency. Operators must apply on county forms, pay fees, and renew annually by December 31 or face late charges and infraction fines.
No person shall operate or maintain any of the following establishments, businesses or activities without a valid public health permit to do so issued by the Enforcement Agency: (a)Food establishment;(b)Food facilities;(c)Temporary food facilities;(d)Produce stands;(e)Certified farmers market;(f)Mobile food preparation unit;(g)Satellite food distribution facilities;(h)Vending machine;(i)Food vehicle.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 61).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 18A, the Public Health Permit Ordinance adopted by Ordinance No. 4080 on May 6, 2014, requires a valid permit from the Enforcement Agency to operate several listed establishments, including a mobile food preparation unit, a food vehicle, a temporary food facility, and vending machines, among others, under Section 18A-7. Section 18A-8 requires the operator to submit a completed application on Enforcement Agency forms with all required fees and plans before starting business, and Section 18A-9 directs the Enforcement Agency to grant the permit if the applicant meets the standards of the chapter and applicable state law, or deny it if not.
Under Section 18A-12, a permit runs through December 31 of the year issued unless suspended or revoked, and Section 18A-13 requires renewal by that date; Section 18A-14 adds a late charge of 10 percent if the renewal fee is paid after December 31 but before February 28, rising to 50 percent after February 28. Section 18A-17 makes every permit non-transferable to another person, site, or operation. Section 18A-19 lets the Enforcement Agency suspend or revoke a permit for violations of the California Retail Food Code or this chapter, and treats unpermitted operation as a public nuisance in addition to an infraction.
Violations & Fines
Operating a mobile food preparation unit or food vehicle without the required permit, or with one suspended or revoked, is an infraction under Section 18A-19: up to $100 for a first conviction, $200 for a second within 12 months, and $500 for a third; each day of continued unpermitted operation is a separate offense, and three convictions in 12 months can be charged as a misdemeanor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a food truck need a county permit to operate in unincorporated Butte County?
When does a Butte County mobile food permit need to be renewed?
What happens if a food truck operates without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Butte County
California rules heatmap·Compare Butte County to another location·View the California food trucks & mobile vendors overview
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