Los Angeles, CA — Food truck permit
Los Angeles food trucks clear two separate inspections before they can serve: a California HCD state insignia on the vehicle, then the LA County Department of Public Health Mobile Food Facility (MFF) permit via a plan-check process. A signed commissary agreement is mandatory — and at $800–$2,000/month, LA commissary rent is the single biggest cost of operating here.
Permits are minor; commissary rent ($800–$2,000/mo) dominates year-one cost. Excludes the truck build.
Licenses
| License | Who needs it | Fee | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
LA County MFF public health permit | Every food truck operating in LA County. Category depends on how much you cook on board. | Varies $605–$1,235/yr depending on category (prepackaged / limited prep / full prep). New fee schedule effective Mar 6, 2024. | 1 year |
Vehicle Inspection Plan Check | Required before building/modifying the truck — submit two sets of plans and specs for approval. | Varies Roughly $100–$1,000 depending on scope; plan check + construction evaluation fee | Per submission |
California HCD insignia | Any MFF the operator stands inside. Must be obtained BEFORE the county health permit. | Varies State HCD inspection fee | Per inspection |
City of LA Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC) | Anyone operating within City of Los Angeles limits. | Varies City business tax; varies | Annual |
CDTFA Seller's Permit | Required to sell prepared food (taxable). | Varies Free to apply; you must report and remit sales tax | Ongoing |
Requirements
- California HCD insignia — get it FIRST
The CA Department of Housing & Community Development inspects and certifies the vehicle (structure, exhaust ventilation, GFCI electrical, plumbing). The wastewater tank must be at least 15% larger than the potable water tank. You cannot get the county health permit without the HCD insignia — out-of-state operators routinely miss this step.
- Signed, verified commissary agreement
LA County requires every MFF to be stored and serviced at a licensed commissary (food prep, water, wastewater disposal, cleaning). Storing the truck or food at home is not allowed. The permit is NOT issued until the Department verifies and approves the commissary. Budget $800–$2,000/month — among the most expensive in California.
Cost: $800–$2,000/month
- Plan check before construction
Submit two sets of plans/specs to the Vehicle Inspection Plan Check Program and get approval before building or modifying the truck. Your kitchen must be able to support your full menu, or the permit is denied.
- California Food Handler Cards + a Certified Food Protection Manager
Every employee handling food needs a CA Food Handler Card (~$7–$20, valid 3 years). At least one owner/employee must pass an accredited food safety manager certification.
Cost: $7–$20 per food handler card
- Commercial vehicle registration + liability insurance
Commercial DMV registration, general liability (often $1M+), and workers' comp if you have employees.
Realistic timeline
| Phase | Duration | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Business setup | Week 1–2 | Form the entity, get the City BTRC and a free CDTFA Seller's Permit, obtain Food Handler Cards. |
| Commissary | Week 2–6 | Tour and sign with a licensed commissary. Get the signed agreement the county will verify. Stall: Signing late, or picking a commissary that isn't licensed/approved — the permit can't issue until it's verified. |
| Plan check + build | Week 3–8 | Submit two sets of plans, get plan-check approval, then build the truck to the approved plan. Stall: Building before plan-check approval, or a kitchen that can't support the menu — both force rework. |
| HCD insignia | Week 6–10 | Pass the state HCD vehicle inspection and get the insignia. Stall: Skipping HCD entirely — you can't apply for the county permit without it. |
| County permit + inspection | Week 8–14 | Apply to LA County DPH Mobile Food Program; pass the certification inspection to get your permit and letter-grade placard. |
Common rejection / stall reasons
- Missing the California HCD insignia
It's a separate STATE inspection required before the county health permit. Out-of-state operators often don't know it exists.
- No signed/approved commissary agreement
The permit is not issued until the county verifies the commissary; home storage is prohibited. Random commissary-use inspections follow.
- Building the truck before plan-check approval
Plans must be approved first; non-conforming builds (ventilation, sinks, tanks) get sent back.
- Menu/equipment mismatch
If the on-board kitchen can't support the menu, DPH won't issue the health permit.
- Classic inspection fails
No thermometer in the fridge, missing/expired fire-extinguisher tags, or a wastewater tank that isn't 15%+ larger than the potable tank.
Official sources
Contacts
- Mobile Food Program
- (626) 430-5500
- Plan Check Program
- (626) 430-5560
- ehvip@ph.lacounty.gov
FAQ
- What's the difference between the HCD insignia and the county health permit?
- They're two separate approvals. The California HCD (Housing & Community Development) insignia certifies the vehicle's construction (ventilation, electrical, plumbing) and is a STATE requirement. The LA County Department of Public Health MFF permit lets you operate as a food business. You must have the HCD insignia before the county will issue the health permit.
- How much does an LA food truck permit cost?
- The LA County MFF health permit runs $605–$1,235/year depending on category (prepackaged, limited prep, or full prep), under the fee schedule effective March 6, 2024. Plan check adds roughly $100–$1,000. But the dominant cost is commissary rent at $800–$2,000/month.
- Do I really need a commissary?
- Yes. LA County requires every mobile food facility to be stored and serviced at a licensed commissary, and the permit won't issue until the county verifies it. Storing the truck or food at home is prohibited, and the county runs random commissary-use checks.
- How long does it take to get legal in LA?
- Plan for 8–14 weeks: about a week for the entity, 2–4 weeks to find and sign with a commissary, plan check and HCD inspection, then 4–8 weeks for the county permit application and truck inspection depending on backlog.