San Diego, CA — Food Truck permit
San Diego is two permits, not one: a San Diego County DEHQ Mobile Food Facility health permit ($874–$1,162/yr) plus a separate City of San Diego mobile food truck permit for where you're allowed to vend. On top sits California's HCD construction insignia (which must clear first) and the strictest commissary rule in the country.
County DEHQ MFF permit ($874–$1,162) is higher than most states', but commissary rent ($200–$700/mo) and insurance still dominate year one.
What a San Diego food truck permit looks like in 2026
San Diego trips people up because there are two separate permits with two different agencies. The San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ) issues the Mobile Food Facility (MFF) health permit under California's CalCode. Separately, the City of San Diego (Development Services) issues a mobile food truck permit that governs where you can operate. You need both — plus the statewide pieces.
What you actually need
- California HCD insignia (first). Like everywhere in California, the state's Housing & Community Development department must approve the truck's construction before the county finalizes your permit. Build to HCD spec and get inspected early — this is the #1 sequencing mistake.
- County DEHQ Mobile Food Facility permit — $874–$1,162/year depending on facility type, after a plan check and vehicle inspection.
- City of San Diego mobile food truck permit — the land-use/where-you-vend approval through Development Services.
- CDTFA seller's permit — free, statewide, required to sell.
- Commissary — California has no self-sufficiency exemption; a signed commissary agreement is mandatory ($200–$700/month in San Diego).
- Certified Food Protection Manager + food handler cards.
What it actually costs
The county permit ($874–$1,162) is higher than most states' health permits, but commissary rent and insurance still dominate. Realistic first-year regulatory spend lands at $8,000–$20,000 once you add the commissary, insurance, HCD inspection, and city permit.
How long it actually takes
Plan on 6–12 weeks: HCD insignia first, then DEHQ plan check + vehicle inspection (4–8 weeks), then the City of San Diego permit. Sequence matters more than total time — it all gates on the HCD construction approval.
Working elsewhere in California? The California food truck guide covers the statewide HCD-insignia-and-CalCode framework that applies in every county.
Licenses
| License | Who needs it | Fee | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
County DEHQ Mobile Food Facility (MFF) Permit | Every food truck operating in San Diego County (including the City of San Diego). | Varies $874–$1,162/year depending on facility type. After plan check + vehicle inspection; renews annually. | 1 year |
City of San Diego Mobile Food Truck Permit | Trucks operating within the City of San Diego — separate from the county health permit. | Varies Fee varies. Issued by Development Services — governs where you may operate (land use / right-of-way). | Varies |
California HCD Insignia | Every mobile unit with electrical/plumbing/propane — i.e. essentially all food trucks. | Varies ~$25–$300+. Construction approval (plumbing/electrical/propane) — required before the county finalizes the permit. | One-time (re-inspect on alteration) |
CDTFA Seller's Permit | Every vendor selling taxable goods in California. | Varies Free. Statewide sales-tax registration — required to sell. | Ongoing |
Requirements
- HCD insignia (do this first)
California HCD inspects the truck's construction and affixes an insignia; the county won't finalize the MFF permit without it. Build to HCD spec before you outfit the truck.
- Commissary agreement (no exemption)
CalCode requires a licensed commissary for prep, water, waste, storage, and cleaning, with a signed agreement on file — California offers no self-sufficiency exemption. Budget $200–$700/month.
Cost: $200–$700/month
- Certified Food Protection Manager + food handler cards
At least one CFPM oversees the operation; food employees need a California Food Handler Card (~$15).
- Fire safety (cooking units)
Suppression over the cooking line (NFPA 96), Class K extinguisher, and secured propane; fire inspection where applicable.
- California business setup + insurance
Entity + EIN, CDTFA seller's permit, city business registration, and general liability insurance.
Realistic timeline
| Phase | Duration | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| HCD insignia + business setup | Week 1–4 | Build to HCD spec and pass the HCD inspection; form the entity, get an EIN and CDTFA seller's permit; line up a commissary. Stall: Building the truck before HCD review — non-compliant construction means costly rework. |
| County DEHQ MFF plan check + inspection | Week 3–8 | Submit the MFF plan-check package (menu, equipment, commissary agreement) with the HCD insignia; pass the vehicle inspection. Stall: Submitting without the HCD insignia or a signed commissary agreement. |
| City of San Diego permit | Week 6–10 | Apply for the City of San Diego mobile food truck permit (Development Services) for where you'll operate. Stall: Forgetting the city permit exists — the county health permit alone doesn't authorize where you vend. |
| Operate | Week 8–12 | Keep the DEHQ permit, city permit, HCD insignia, commissary agreement, and manager certs on the truck. |
Common rejection / stall reasons
- Treating the HCD insignia as a late step
Construction approval gates the county permit. Build to HCD spec and inspect first, or you rework the truck.
- Forgetting the City of San Diego permit
The county DEHQ permit is health-only; the City of San Diego mobile food truck permit governs where you may operate. You need both.
- No signed commissary agreement
California has no self-sufficiency exemption — the MFF permit won't issue without a commissary agreement on file with DEHQ.
- Underbudgeting the county permit
San Diego County's MFF permit runs $874–$1,162/year — higher than most states' health permits.
- Parking where city rules prohibit it
The city permit and local zoning control where and when you can vend; a parking spot isn't permission.
Official sources
Contacts
- San Diego County DEHQ
- Food & Housing Division — Mobile Food Program
- City of San Diego
- Development Services — Mobile Food Truck Permit
- California HCD
- Housing & Community Development — manufactured/mobile units
FAQ
- How much does a San Diego food truck permit cost?
- The San Diego County DEHQ Mobile Food Facility permit runs $874–$1,162/year depending on facility type, plus the City of San Diego mobile food truck permit (fee varies), the HCD insignia (~$25–$300+), and a free CDTFA seller's permit. With commissary rent ($200–$700/month) and insurance, realistic first-year regulatory spend is $8,000–$20,000.
- Do I need both a county and a city permit in San Diego?
- Yes. The San Diego County DEHQ Mobile Food Facility permit is the health permit; the City of San Diego mobile food truck permit (Development Services) governs where you can operate. They're separate — the county permit alone doesn't authorize your vending locations.
- What is the HCD insignia and why does it come first?
- California's Housing & Community Development department inspects the truck's construction (plumbing, electrical, propane) and issues an insignia. San Diego County won't finalize your MFF permit without it, so it's a hard prerequisite — build to HCD spec and get inspected before the county plan check.
- Do I need a commissary for a San Diego food truck?
- Yes — California requires it with no self-sufficiency exemption. You need a signed agreement with a licensed commissary for prep, water, waste, storage, and cleaning on file with DEHQ. Budget $200–$700/month.
- How long does it take to get permitted in San Diego?
- Plan on 6–12 weeks: the HCD insignia first, then the County DEHQ plan check and vehicle inspection (about 4–8 weeks), with the City of San Diego permit running in parallel. The whole timeline gates on getting HCD construction approval early.