West Covina
Table of Contents
State
Basic Checklist to Start a Food Truck in West Covina
City Specific Permit Background for Food Trucks in West Covina
To legally operate a food truck in West Covina, California, the following permits and processes are required:
Mobile Food Facility Permit: This permit is issued by the City of West Covina and is required for all mobile food vendors in the city.
Application Process:
Submit the Mobile Food Facility Vendor Application to the City of West Covina, including details of the food truck and operating plans.
Provide proof of liability insurance and business registration.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health will conduct a health inspection to ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
Conditional Use Permit (CUP): Depending on the location and nature of your business, a CUP may be required. This permit is necessary for vendors operating in certain areas or for specific hours of operation.
Fire safety inspection: If the food truck uses cooking equipment, such as grills or fryers, it must pass a fire safety inspection from the West Covina Fire Department.
Unique Conditions:
Food trucks must comply with zoning laws and may need a Conditional Use Permit to operate in certain areas or times.
The food truck must be compliant with sanitation standards, which include having a handwashing station and proper waste disposal.
Cost of Business Permit
$632
How Often Business Permit needs to be Renewed
Annually
Health Requirements for Food Trucks in West Covina
Inspections: Food trucks must undergo initial health inspections and annual inspections by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. These inspections cover food safety, sanitation, food storage, and general cleanliness of the food truck.
Food Safety Certifications: Operators must have a Food Protection Manager Certification or other recognized food safety training.
Truck-Specific Requirements:
Trucks must have an onboard handwashing station with hot and cold running water.
Waste disposal systems must be in place to handle trash and gray water.
Food storage: Trucks must have systems to ensure proper temperature control for hot and cold food items.
Permitted Operating Hours for Food Trucks in West Covina
In West Covina, California, mobile food trucks can operate from 2–9 PM, and can set up and tear down for up to an hour before and after those hours. Food trucks cannot play amplified music or other sounds.
Notable Fire Requirements for Food Trucks in West Covina
Food trucks with cooking equipment, such as grills, fryers, or propane tanks, must undergo a fire safety inspection by the West Covina Fire Department.
Fire extinguishers and fire suppression systems must be installed and meet local fire code requirements.
A fire safety certificate may be required before starting operations for trucks that use cooking equipment.
Other Local Notes for Operating a Food Truck in West Covina
Conditional Use Permits (CUP) may be required for food trucks operating in certain areas or during special events. These permits are issued by the City of West Covina based on zoning laws and specific event requirements.
Food trucks must comply with the city's zoning ordinances to ensure they do not operate in restricted areas (such as near schools or residential zones).
For special events, food trucks may need additional temporary event permits.
The information on this page is collected through collaboration with local food truck owners and occasional voluntary submissions from local government and health officials. Food Truck Profit is not a government agency and cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information. All food truck owners are strongly encouraged to consult directly with local government officials, including fire and health departments, to ensure compliance with all regulations. Food Truck Profit assumes no liability for errors or omissions in the content provided.
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