Operating a food truck or mobile food facility in the City of Sonoma requires a Sonoma County Environmental Health Mobile Food Facility (MFF) permit under the California Retail Food Code (Cal. Health & Safety Code §113700 et seq.) and a City of Sonoma business license under SMC Title 5. Many on-street commercial vending uses also require an encroachment permit under SMC Ch. 12.20.
State health framework: Mobile food facilities in California are regulated by the California Retail Food Code (Health & Safety Code §§113700–114437). Sonoma County Environmental Health is the local enforcement agency. Operators of trucks, trailers, carts, and Compact Mobile Food Operations (CMFOs) must apply for a Retail Food Industry Permit, pay the annual fee, and pass an Environmental Health Specialist inspection before opening. Operators selling food from a vehicle also need a permit under Cal. Health & Safety Code §113631. Local rules: All businesses operating within the City of Sonoma, including mobile food vendors, must hold a City of Sonoma business license under SMC §5.04 and pay the applicable license tax. Mobile food operations on the public right-of-way or in the public street area generally require an encroachment permit under SMC Ch. 12.20. Operators must also hold a California seller's permit from CDTFA and, for prepared-food vendors operating from a non-motorized conveyance, a Compact Mobile Food Operator permit from Sonoma County Environmental Health.
Operating a mobile food facility without a county health permit is a misdemeanor under Cal. Health & Safety Code §114395 and subject to a fine up to $1,000 per violation per day plus closure of the operation. Operating without a City of Sonoma business license is an infraction subject to penalty and back-tax under SMC §5.04.200 et seq. Encroachment violations are abated under SMC Ch. 12.20.
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