La Paz County Health Department
1112 Joshua Ave., Parker AZ 85344
928-669-1100 Fax 928-669-6703
www.lpchd.com
Environmental Health Division
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MOBILE FOOD UNIT (MFU) GUIDE
for Mobile Food Trucks, Mobile Food Units,
Food Boats, and Food Carts
La Paz County, Arizona
Please submit permit application with fee at least 30 days prior to opening for review and processing - Thanks!
Questions? Email questions to:
A copy of the Arizona Food Code is available online at:
http://www.lpchd.com/uploads/1/1/6/4/11641401/fc2000.pdf
TABLE OF CONTENTSTopic / Page Number
Application Process Notice / 3
Licensing Time Frames / 4
Definition of a Mobile Food Unit (MFU) / 5
Health Department Office Hours / 5
Types of Permits/Permit Fees / 6
General Operating Requirements / 7
Set-up of Unit / 7
Signage and Operating Permits / 8
Food Handlers Card Requirement/Food Safety Knowledge / 8
Person In Charge / 8
Commissary Requirement / 8
Plan and Operating Information / 9
Plan Requirements / 10
Construction / 11
Water/Wastewater Tanks / 12
Exhaust Hood / 12
Plumbing Specifications / 13
Lighting Specifications / 13
Food Boat / 14
Food Cart / 15
Enforcement / 16
Variances / 16
Application (Detach and Return) / 17-21
A copy of the Arizona Food Code is available online at:
http://www.lpchd.com/uploads/1/1/6/4/11641401/fc2000.pdf
La Paz County Health Department/ Environmental Health
1112 Joshua Ave., Parker AZ 85344
928-669-1100 Fax 928-669-6703
ARS §11-1606 Application Process Notice
For Mobile Food Unit Permits
Permits do not transfer to new owners
Under ARS §11-1606, La Paz County is required to give you the following information regarding the steps to obtaining a mobile food permit:
1. Obtain a copy of the “Mobile Food Unit Guide” and read thoroughly. If you have questions, contact the Health Department at 928-669-1100 and ask to speak to a Health Inspector.
2. Fill out application “Mobile Food Unit Application for an Annual Operating Permit” completely. Incomplete applications will delay permit approval or be denied.
3. Application must be submitted at least 30 days prior to opening with the correct fee. Review/permit fees are nonrefundable.
4. The Health Department will review and contact you via some type of written correspondence, either email or by letter with written approval OR a written list of deficiencies which must be addressed before approval can be issued.
5. If deficiencies are listed, provide required information and resubmit.
6. If approval is given, contact the office for a pre-opening inspection before opening.
7. If approved to operate, approval will be given at pre-opening inspection and a permit to operate will be mailed to you. Permit must be posted in mobile food unit in view of customers and inspectors.
8. Food handler cards are required. A copy of a food handler card from another jurisdiction may be submitted with appropriate fee ($15.00) and a La Paz County Food Handler card will be issued. Otherwise, all food handlers must come to Health Department for class and take the test. Proof of Licensing Eligibility is required per AZ ARS 41-1080.
- If a re-inspection is required during any part of the permitting or inspecting process, a re-inspection fee of $100.00 will be assessed.
- If denied during any part of the permitting process, an appeal of the decision can be requested by written request to: Director of Environmental Health Division, 1112 Joshua Ave., 206, Parker AZ 85344.
- If application is not received at least 30 days before opening, a $50 late fee will be assessed and must be paid before permit is issued.
Applicable licensing time frames (in days)
Time frames can be found in the Arizona Administrative Code, R9-8-104
Type of Approval / Statutory Authority / Overall Time-frame / Administrative Completeness Review / Substantive ReviewFood Establishment License / A.R.S. §36-136(H)(4) / 60 / 30 / 30
Approval of Plans and Specifications under AZ Food Code §8-201.11 / A.R.S. §36-136(H)(4) / 90 / 30 / 60
Approval of HACCP PLAN under AZ Food Code §8-201.13 / A.R.S. §36-136(H)(4) / 90 / 30 / 60
Approval of Quality Assurance Program / A.R.S. §36-136(H)(4) / 90 / 30 / 60
Questions? Call 928-669-1100 and ask for Health Inspector to answer questions. If you are unable to receive assistance from the inspector, you may contact the Environmental Health Director at 928-669-1100.
Under ARS §11-1609, you may request that the County clarify its interpretation of a statute, ordinance, regulation, delegation agreement, or authorized substantive policy statement that affects the issuance of your food establishment permit by providing the County with a written request that states:
1. Your name and address;
2. The statute, ordinance, regulation, delegation agreement, or authorized substantive policy statement that requires clarification;
3. Any facts relevant to the requested ruling;
4. Your proposed interpretation or part of the applicable statute, ordinance, regulation, delegation agreement, or authorized substantive policy statement that requires clarification;
5. Whether, to the best of your knowledge, the issues or related issues are being considered by the County in connection with an existing license or license application.
Mobile Food Unit Guidelines
A Mobile Food Unit (MFU) refers to an enclosed vehicle-mounted, boat-mounted, or trailer-mounted food establishment designated to be readily movable from which food is composed, compounded, processed or prepared and from which food is vended, sold, or given away as determined by the La Paz County Health Department. A Mobile Food Unit will receive an annual permit to be renewed yearly on January 1. A Mobile Food Unit can either be a “full-mobile” with attached water and wastewater tanks and able to travel county-wide or a “restricted” mobile, restricted to one location which has approved sewer connections and approved water connections at that space.
EXAMPLE OF A MOBILE FOOD UNIT
This is a fully enclosed, vehicle-mounted Mobile Food Unit
Each unit must be operated in full compliance with the La Paz County Regulations (including Health Department and Zoning) and the Arizona Food Code (available online at http://co.la-paz.az.us/) and Town zoning and business regulations (contact Towns of Quartzsite and Parker). Separate food permits will be required when operating on the Colorado River Indian Reservation (CRIT) – please contact CRIT Health Department for more information.
Office HoursLocation: 1112 Joshua Ave., #206, Parker AZ 85344
Office Hours: Monday – Thursday, 7:00 am – 6:00 pm (Closed holidays)
Inspection Hours: BY APPOINTMENT ONLY in Parker Office
Call 928-669-1100 to schedule an appointment
Mobile Units must be brought to the Health Department main office for a pre-opening inspection and subsequent permit renewal inspections unless previous arrangements have been made.
Permits
All Mobile Food Units must be in full compliance before any permit will be issued including fully operational equipment and hot water to all sinks. Operating Permit must be posted inside of unit.
The following information is required to obtain a permit:
1. Properly completed application with all supporting documentation including a drawing,
2. Vending Route if applicable,
3. Signed Commissary Agreement,
4. Toilet Use Agreement (if applicable), and
5. Permit Fee
Types of Annual Permits/Fee Schedule for Mobile Food Units
Type / Fee / Operation Requirements
Type 1 Limited
Mobile
Food Carts
(See specific requirements for Food Carts) / $175.00
$150.00 / Limited Preparation:
● Only pre-packaged potentially hazardous foods are available or sold; and/or
● The potentially hazardous foods served or sold are commercially pre-packaged in an approved food processing facility offsite; and/or
● The facility only has limited preparation of potentially hazardous foods and beverages; and/or
● The facility provides sampling of pre-packaged products or sampling of fruit/vegetables; and/or
● The facility only serves beverages.
(Commissary may be required).
Type 2 Moderate
Mobile / $250.00 / Moderate Preparation:
● The food prepared in the facility is from raw ingredients and requires minimal assembly; and/or
● Hot or cold food prep in the facility is restricted to same day service; and/or
● Foods requiring preparation in the facility are from approved offsite processing facilities.
(Commissary may be required).
Type 3 Complex
Mobile / $350.00 / Complex Preparation:
● The facility prepares and holds hot or cold food for more than 12 hours before serving; and/or
● The facility cooks and cools three or more foods during the food handling process; and/or
● The facility prepares food for off-site service; and/or
● The facility vacuum packs food; and/or
● The facility serves a highly susceptible population.
(Commissary is required).
General Operating Requirements for all Mobile Food Unit Permits
Food Products
1. All food and beverages must be from an approved source (USDA/FDA/State/County approved processing facility) and must be safe, unadulterated, and honestly presented. Homemade food products are prohibited including condiments.
2. All packaged foods shall be labeled in English in accordance with FDA guidelines (product name, processor name, address/phone of processor, weight and ingredients list). Records of food purchases, invoices, and receipts must be kept with the operation and be available for review during routine inspections for at least 90 days following the date of purchase.
3. All condiments must be dispensed from squeeze bottles, pump dispensers, individual packets, or condiment containers with self-closing lids.
4. All potentially hazardous foods prepared in the mobile food unit must be prepared on the same day of sale or service. Hold over of potentially hazardous food from a previous day’s operation is prohibited.
Set-up of Unit
1. All mobile food units must be maintained readily movable at all times.
2. Temporary electrical connection may be used for units operating at a set location; however, the mobile food unit must have an alternate power source as a back up or the unit must close if power is interrupted.
3. All food service and preparation must occur from within the mobile food unit or approved commissary. A variance for an outside bbq grill for meat can be allowed under certain conditions with variance application and variance fee ($75.00) submittal and approval from the Health Department IF there is adequate cooking equipment inside the unit for cooking meat if required. Applicant must be able to show that food safety will not be compromised by cooking meat outside, showing proper food handling and food safety methods.
Signage/Operating Permit
1. Operating permits must be clearly visible from the serving window of the unit or driver’s side window. Photocopies are not allowed.
2. Name of Business (name used on permit) must be clearly visible on outside of Mobile Food Unit.
Food Safety Knowledge
1. Food service workers are required to obtain Food Handler cards. Please call 928-669-1100 for information on testing and locations.
2. A Person In Charge is required to be on site during all times of operation. This is a person who oversees all aspects of food service and safety on the Mobile Food Unit and must be knowledgeable in food safety and have authority to make decisions about processes and food handling.
3. Current La Paz County food handler cards must be posted inside of unit. Failure to have cards posted is a critical violation and subject to enforcement action and $100 re-inspection fee.
4. Proof of Licensing Eligibility is required per AZ ARS 41-1080.
Commissary
The commissary is a base of operations for mobile food units selling potentially hazardous foods. Mobile food units are required to operate from an approved commissary unless the operator can show that all operations can take place within the unit.
The commissary is used to store food and food equipment, conduct food preparation such as cutting raw beef and preparing food, disposing of wastewater into a sanitary sewer, cleaning, and servicing unit.
Food for a Mobile Food Unit must be stored in the commissary if there is not room in the Mobile Food Unit for the storage. Mobile Food Units can not use tents or outside storage areas for storage of food and/or equipment. Food can not be stored in a private residence.
A commissary is a food establishment which is in compliance and is permitted/licensed by the La Paz County Health Department or other regulatory agency.
Plans and Operating Info (Application) Submittal
Plans are a drawing or “bird’s eye view” of the mobile unit. Plans drawn to scale are required by the Arizona Food Code.
Plans can be submitted as part of the application or a separate set of plans can be submitted.
Generally, the plan review process takes at least 10 business days to complete so please plan accordingly. It is recommended that all information on the mobile food establishment be submitted at least 30 days prior to proposed opening date.
After the information has been reviewed, a Notification of Review letter will be mailed giving approval or explaining deficiencies with the plan and operating information. If approved, you may proceed with construction, remodeling, or conversion of the unit. If the reviewer lists changes to be made per The Arizona Food Code, you must make those changes on the plans/application/operating information and resubmit before approval will be given and a permit to operate will be issued.
When construction is complete, make an appointment for a pre-opening inspection by calling 928-669-1100. The mobile food unit must be clean and ready to operate and brought to the Health Department main office unless other arrangements have been made with Health Inspector.
Plan Requirements
The plans and specifications for all Mobile Food Units shall include the following information, all labeled clearly:
1. Proposed layout, mechanical schematics, construction materials, and finish schedules.
2. The plans should be submitted to scale (if possible) and must include the following:
a. Provide details in the plans such as the capacities, positioning, and placement of the potable water tank, wastewater tank, and hot water heater. In addition, the placement of the water inlets and outlets for the potable and wastewater tanks must be shown.
b. Show number, types, and location of all sinks and drain boards as well as dimensions for all sink compartments and drain boards.
c. Show all refrigeration and cold holding equipment and label.
d. Show food preparation and service areas. Provide the dimensions of the service windows.
e. Show the dry goods storage areas and food storage areas.