Complete licensing documentation for LA, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento & Oakland
Launch your California food truck in 2-4 months with our step-by-step permit kit.
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Here's what you'll need to operate legally. Our kit includes checklists and templates for each requirement.
$70 filing fee
Plus $800/year California franchise tax minimum
Free
Required for collecting sales tax on food sales
$15 max by law
CalCode caps the fee; valid statewide
$325–$761/year
LA County MFF fees vary by risk level
$200–$800/month
Required by CalCode §114295 for all mobile food facilities
$100–$300
Required if using propane or open flame
Our kit includes a visual Gantt chart to track every step.
Each city has different rules. We cover California's top 5 food truck markets.
Largest food truck market in California
Requires LA County Health Permit plus City of LA Business Tax Registration. Specific parking regulations by district.
Mobile Food Facility Permit from SF DPH
Strict sidewalk vending rules. Must apply through SF Department of Public Health for MFF permit.
County-wide health permit recognized
San Diego County Environmental Health permit. Different rules for coastal vs inland areas.
Growing food truck scene
Sacramento County EMD handles permits. Strong downtown and midtown locations.
Alameda County jurisdiction
Alameda County Environmental Health permit. Active food truck pod locations.
Step-by-step requirements for California food trucks
LA, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento & Oakland
Never miss a signature or attachment
Pass your first inspection with zero violations
Pre-written SOPs and commissary agreements
Visual Gantt chart for your launch window
How to find and vet your prep space
Regulations change. We keep you current.
The typical timeline is 2-4 months from start to serving customers. Business formation takes 1-2 weeks, state permits 2-4 weeks, county health approval 4-8 weeks, and city permits vary. Our kit includes a visual timeline planner to track your progress.
Permit and licensing costs typically run $2,000-$5,000 for the first year, not including your truck. Key costs: LLC filing ($70 + $800/year franchise tax), health permit ($325-$761/year in LA County), commissary ($200-$800/month), and food handler cards ($15 max per person).
Yes. California Health & Safety Code §114295 requires all mobile food facilities to operate from a commissary or other approved food facility. You cannot operate legally without a commissary agreement on file with your county health department.
Yes, but you'll need separate city business licenses and permits for each city. Your county health permit is typically valid county-wide, but each city has its own vending regulations and business license requirements.
California classifies mobile food facilities (MFFs) by type. Food trucks are typically Type 1 or Type 2 MFFs with more extensive cooking capabilities. Food carts may be classified as Mobile Food Preparation Units with different requirements. Our kit covers both.
It depends on your county. While California requires food handler cards for all food workers (capped at $15), some counties also require at least one certified food manager per operation. LA County requires this for most food facilities.
Everything you need to navigate California's food truck requirements. One purchase, lifetime access.