FAQ
*If you are considering renting a truck from Avalon Foods, please contact us before hand.
FAQ for soon to be vendors:
Is it ok to buy an out of state truck and get it permitted in Los Angeles County?
California and by extension, Los Angeles County have some of the strictest standards for building food trucks and carts. The 2009 California Retail Food Code requires that all equipement in the truck be ANSI certified (Section 114130). Most older trucks and out of state trucks do not meet the most recent standards. Please make sure that the truck you want to purchase meets all applicable standards before buying it. It’s best to have your the plans stamped before buying. This way the Health Department has given an preliminary approval on the vehicle you wish to get permitted.
Will the SoCal Mobile Food Vendors’ Association help me start my food truck business?
No. The SoCalMFVA is, first and foremost, an advocacy group for trucks currently on the road or close to launch. We focus our attention on the regulatory issues that trucks are facing on a day to day basis. But, we will try and answer some preliminary questions you may have. If you are interested in attending a food truck Q & A session, please fill out this form and go here for more info:
How much does it cost to start a truck?
Every food truck business is different, so it’s important that you get quotes from every truck manufacturer/renter, commissary and truck wrapping (the design on the outside) place you can find.
Where should I rent my truck from?
If you’re going to rent a truck, make sure your lease is rock solid. Don’t sign a vague one page lease. Make sure to protect yourself with a rock solid lease that protects your interest.
Do you need a business license for every City you do business in? Yes.
How much do business licenses cost?
LA – free
Culver City – $370
Santa Monica – $270
El Segundo – $190
Arcadia – $170
Irwindale- $169
Manhattan Beach – $250
Alhambra – $300
Which County is harder to get permitted in, Orange, or Los Angeles?
Los Angeles County has stricter rules for getting your truck approved. If you want to operate in both counties, it’s best to get your truck permitted in Los Angeles first. Always ask the truck manufacturer if the truck you’re going to lease is ANSI Certified (Cal Code 114130)
Will the Los Angeles County Health Permit work for all 88 municipalities in LA County.
No. Pasadena, Long Beach, and the City of Vernon all have their own health departments and therefore do not come under the jurisdiction of the LA County Heath Department.
What is the bathroom letter all about?
In order to operate anywhere for over an hour, you must have permission to use a bathroom within 200ft travel distance of where you’ll be doing business. The bathroom must have warm water 100º(Cal Code 113941), single use dispensing soap, and be kept in clean working order. The health department does not recognize “jay walking” as a part of travel distance. There is a difference between warm water (100º) which is required for hand washing sinks and hot water (120º) which is required for ware washing sinks. Inspectors have gotten confused and shut down trucks because they didn’t know the difference.
Who do you recommend that I talk to about: Menu Development/Truck Manufacturing Design/wrapping,PR, Commissary (place you have to park your truck every night)?
Menu Development: The Gourmandise School is a cooking and pastry school located in The Market at Santa Monica Place. Clémence Gosset, the owner has been teaching and consulting for 6 years, helping artisanal food manufacturers navigate their way through codes, menus, and food costing tools as they start and grow their operations.
Phone: 310.656.8800Email: clemence@thegourmandiseschool.com
http://www.TheGourmandiseSchool.com
Custom Truck builds: Legion Manufacturing
Standard Trucks: AA Cater Truck Mfg
Commissary: Slauson Commissary has a gourmet only portion of their commissary. Rates are competitive and the lot is brand new. Email is Slauson Foods for more info.
Design/Wrapping: Wrap One, has over 10 years experience with vehicle wraps. Their attention to detail and quality is of the highest standards.
Contact Alex Perez at 714-381-2600 800-688-1620 ext. 2 – Let them know the SCMFVA sent you.
1185 N. Red Gum St. Anaheim CA 92806
PR: Linh Ho of Ideation is our preferred PR person. She does a lot of work with the trucks. (424) 227-9498 or you can email her at linh@ideationagency.com http://ideationagency.com
What are some of the regulations I’m going to be dealing with in Los Angeles/Santa Monica
Parking:
• You must obey the posted parking restrictions, including, but not limited to, restrictions on stopping, loading, and parking from either posted signs or painted curbs [ LAMC 80.73(b)2(B)].
• You must dispense food from the sidewalk side of the street. No truck may dispense food street side [ LAMC 80.73(b)2(C)]
º Trucks are not regulated under 42.00 of the LAMC. That code is for sidewalk vending only. 42.00(k) exempts food trucks from this code section.
• You must have a CONSPICUOUS litter receptacle which is clearly marked with a sign requesting its use by patrons [ LAMC 80.73(b)2(D)]. In-truck hatch receptacles are NOT sufficient.
• Trash shall be removed from all areas VISIBLE around the truck. The truck shall take all bags with them when vacating an area. Trash is to include all materials originally dispensed from the truck as well as any other items left by patrons, such as cigarette butts[ LAMC 80.73(b)2(E)].
• The “hatch” of a truck shall be at least 7 feet above the sidewalk in order to avoid patron collisions [LAMC 56.08(e) disputed]
• Trucks must be parked at a Commissary every night. [Cal Code: 114295(c)]
• Trucks must have a bathroom letter from an accessible bathroom with hot water (103-108 degrees), single serving soap, paper towels, kept in clean working order, if vending for over an hour (Cal Code: 114315)
• Trucks must have current and valid registration clearly marked on their plates while vending on the street.
• Trucks should have all their permits readily accessible while doing business.
• You must have a business license for the municipality you are doing business in (even if it’s a private catering event).
• You must have a health permit for the municipality you are doing business in.
• Long Beach, Pasadena and the City of Vernon are not covered under the Los Angeles County Health Permit and require a separate permit and approval process.
Santa Monica Codes:
• SMMC: 6.36.010
• SM: You must be 35 feet from the closest truck
• SM: On a sidewalk of less than 8 feet you must keep 4 feet of the sidewalk clear
• SM: You must be more than 10 feet from the entrance to the front door of a business or 4 feet from a building
• SM: You must be more than 10 feet from any street corner
Commuting:
• Every employee must have a seat with a working seatbelt while moving [Cal Code 27315]
•VARIOUS:
• Trucks shall be cleaned and serviced at least once per day [Cal Code: 114297]
• Employee entrance doors to food preparation areas shall be self-closing and kept closed when not in use [Cal Code: 114303]
• The exterior of a mobile food facility and the surrounding area, as relating to the operation of food service, shall be maintained in a sanitary condition. [Cal code 114317]
• Preparation kitchens must be approved by the Health Department.
• A properly charged and maintained minimum 10 BC-rated fire extinguisher to combat grease fires shall be properly mounted and readily accessible on the interior of any mobile food facility that is equiped with heating elements or cooking equipment [114323(e)]