There’s been a significant increase in the rise of street food selling in California, with food trucks, pop-up restaurants, and street food just to name a few. In fact, it has become synonymous with California’s vibrant culture. However, if you’re thinking of starting your own food vending business, it’s important to understand how to get a permit to sell food on the street in California.
Understanding all the necessary measures to take can be overwhelming, which is why we’ve created this step-by-step guide to guide you through the process of receiving your permit in the State of California.
**1. Determine Type of Vendor Permit**
In California, there’s a range of different types of permits for food vending businesses. These include mobile food facility permit, temporary food facility permit, and pushcart vendor permit. The type of permit you need depends on your specific business model. Therefore, before progressing, first, understand which permit applies to you.
**2. Take Food Handling Course**
To sell food to the public, California law requires sellers to complete a food handling course and obtain a certificate. A certified food safety manager needs to be on-site at all times food is being prepared or served. These courses can be found online or in-person and generally last a few hours to a few days.
**3. Get a Business License**
The next step is to get a business license. This is obtained from the city where your business will be located. Incorporated cities usually have their own rules and requirements, which may include zoning, health department clearance, fire department inspection, and more.
**4. Obtain Necessary Health and Safety Inspections**
Before issuing a permit, the local health department will need to conduct a health and safety inspection of your food operations. The health department checks for things like food sourcing, storage, preparation, temperature control, sanitization, waste control, and more. Your mobile food facility must pass this inspection to move forward.
**5. Apply for the Food Vendor Permit**
After fulfilling all the mentioned requirements, you can now apply for the food vendor permit. Applications can be made through the relevant county health department in California. The application process can include:
– Completing an application form
– Submitting plans for your food facility or vehicle
– Paying a permit evaluation fee
– Receiving pre-inspection evaluation
## Maintaining your Permit
Obtaining your permit is just one part of the journey. You need to renew the permit annually and maintain the standards of hygiene and safety. Food facilities are scrutinized regularly by the public health authorities in California to ensure they are operating within the law.
## The Cost of Getting a Permit
The total cost can vary greatly based on various factors. These include the type of permit, the location of your business, the size of the mobile unit, and so forth. Likewise, expect to pay a fee to your local health department, and other departments involved in the permitting process.
## Conclusion
Knowing how to get a permit to sell food on the street in California is an important first step in starting your mobile food vending business. While exact requirements can vary by city or county, meeting the required state-level steps is a good starting point. Remember, starting a food vending business involves more than just cooking up delicious food – it also requires careful planning and compliance with state and local regulations. By following these steps and planning ahead, you can help ensure your new venture is successful and meets all of the legal requirements.
In summary, obtaining a permit to sell food in California requires a lot of diligence. However, this essential process ensures that all those involved from the vendor to the consumer are protected. The State of California takes the health of its citizens seriously which requires food vendors to meet high standards which in turn create a level of trust within the community.