Food Carts (Mobile Food Units)

Step 1:
Review application packet and local laws 

Review the Public Health Division plan review packet and look into other local laws and regulations that may impact your design and operating plans, including:

• Seek land use approval to park your mobile unit by contacting the city or county planning department to see if you need design review. The County Planning phone number is 503-742-4500. In some situations, cost can be significant. 
• Review the Oregon Fire Code Mobile Unit Checklist. Contact your local fire district if needed to be sure that your mobile food unit design is compliant. Find additional information about Oregon Fire Code.
• Review the Oregon Health Authority Mobile Unit Operation Guide. 
• Review other resources from Oregon Health Authority, including:
  • A calculator for sink or water tank size
  • Fact sheets on a variety of topics in 19 languages
  • Information about recent rule changes

Step 2:
Submit your application packet 

Once you complete your plans for your cart according to the plan review packet, it’s time to send it to us. If we don't receive all the required documents listed on the plan review packet checklist, your application could be delayed.

Your application should include:

1. Mobile Food Unit Plan Review Application
2. Commissary and/or Warehouse Agreement Form 
   • Oregon food rules require all carts to operate from a licensed commissary (commercial kitchen) or warehouse, unless approved by the Public Health Division. You must apply for a commissary and warehouse license and pay the license fee prior to scheduling the pre-opening inspection for your unit.  
   • If you wish to operate without a commissary or warehouse license, include a request instead of the agreement that includes answers to the following questions:
     • Are you planning to cater?
     • How will you keep food at proper hot and cold temperatures during storage and transit in your unit? 
     • Will you need to cool down hot foods after cooking or leftover hot food at the end of the day?
     • Are you washing fruits and vegetables?
     • Will you need to thaw frozen food (i.e. raw meat)?
     • Do you have enough space to store everything in the unit, including all food and extra stock of to-go packaging and utensils?  Many get cost savings by ordering in bulk but may only have room for a small amount in the unit.)
     • Do you have enough space to store dirty dishes and utensils and to air dry clean dishes and utensils after washing? 
     • Our team will consider the questions above in addition to your wastewater/freshwater design, handwashing, menu complexity, etc. to determine if you can be approved to operate without a commissary. 
3. Restroom Usage Agreement Form
4. Waste Water Disposal Agreement Form
5. Plan review fee payment
6. Warehouse and commissary fee payments 

The license application and fee are separate. You can pay this later, before the pre-opening inspection.

It may take up to 15 business days after we receive your final plan review payment to review your packet.

Once you receive our approval letter you can begin construction. If your plans are not approved, we’ll contact you to get additional information.

Step 3:
Complete license application and fee payment and schedule pre-opening inspection 

• Mobile Unit License Application
• Mobile unit, commissary and warehouse license fees

Once the plan review process and construction is complete:

• Call or email us to schedule your pre-opening inspection
• Use the plan review packet’s pre-opening checklist and plan approval letter to help get ready

Remember that:

• You must submit your license application and fee before the inspection is scheduled 
• We can only inspect food carts located in Clackamas County

What’s next?

If your food cart passes inspection, your Public Health Division mobile unit license will be approved. The inspection report will serve as a temporary license until you receive your official license in the mail. Post it inside your cart along with a copy of any other licenses (commissary, warehouse, fire permit, etc.) in plain view.