Mobile Food Facilities
Applications, regulations and resources in one easy-to-navigate place.
Ordinance Summary
The City of Long Beach’s new Mobile Food Facility ordinance, which became effective on June 8, 2026, is now in place. The updated rules set clear standards for how mobile food facilities should operate, create more opportunities for small businesses, and improve public health and safety. All mobile food facilities in Long Beach must have a Business License, a Mobile Business Permit, and a Health Permit from the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services before they can operate. For a full list of regulations see Long Beach Municipal Code (LBMC) Chapter 5.37
What is a Mobile Food Facility? (aka Food Truck)
A Mobile Food Facility is a vehicle - including ice cream trucks - that sells or serves food to the public and works with a permitted kitchen, known as a commissary. These are regulated under the California Health and Safety Code section 114294. Mobile Food Facilities under the City’s ordinance are different from non-motorized sidewalk vendors who are Compact Mobile Food Facilities, who are regulated separately under California’s Safe Sidewalk Vending Act (SB 946) and the City’s Sidewalk Vending Ordinance (LBMC Chapter 5.73).
Licensing Requirements
Mobile Food Facilities must have the following license and permits before they can begin operating in Long Beach:
- Valid Business License and Mobile Business Permit, both issued by the Long Beach Business Services Bureau.
- Valid Health Permit issued by the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services
- Valid Seller’s permit issued by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA).
Mobile Food Facilities Ordinance Guide
Explore the City’s comprehensive Mobile Food Facility Guide, designed to help operators navigate the new ordinance with confidence. This guide brings together the key information you need in one place and walks you through every major requirement to help you stay informed and compliant.
The guide includes:
- Key definitions
- Licensing requirements
- Instructions for obtaining a seller’s permit
- Instructions to meet insurance requirements
- A step-by-step permit process checklist
- Guidance on where Mobile Food Facilities can and cannot operate
- Key distance requirements to keep in mind when operating
- Daily operating rules and regulations
- Information on operating on private property
- A map of special designated operating areas
- Vendor benefits and available resources
Access the full guide and get everything you need in one place:
Application Process
Step 1
Apply for a Business License & Mobile Business Permit with the Business License Bureau by submitting both the General Business License Application and the Mobile Food Facility Application Support Form.
Step 2
Provide the required documents with your application, including proof of a valid California Seller’s Permit, proof of insurance that includes General Liability Insurance with an Additional Insured Endorsement, Worker’s Compensation Coverage, and Commercial Automobile Liability, and a Copy of Vehicle Registration.
Step 3
All required City application and processing fees must be paid before the application can be reviewed.
Step 4
Apply for a Long Beach Health permit with the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services. Contact them at (562) 570-4132 or environmentalhealth@longbeach.gov to get started. Please note that Health Permit fees are separate.
Step 5
The Business Services Bureau will review your application and Seller’s Permit. The Risk Management Bureau will check that you meet the insurance requirements, and the Bureau of Environmental Health will review your Health Permit.
Step 6
Once all City operations have approved their reviews, your Long Beach Health Permit, your Business License, and your Mobile Business Permit will be issued and, you’ll be ready to open for business! Don’t forget to check where mobile food facilities can operate and if you operate on private property, this requires additional permits.
Required Documents
As part of the application process, operators must provide the following documents:
For the Business License & Mobile Food Facility Permit:
- Proof of a valid California Seller’s Permit.
- Copy of Vehicle Registration
- Proof of insurance:
- General Liability Insurance & Additional Insured Endorsement
- Worker’s Compensation Coverage
- Commercial Automobile Liability
For the Health Permit:
- Signed letter from a licensed commissary where the Mobile Food Facility will be stored and serviced.
- A copy of a restroom usage agreement (if applicable)
- Proof of Food Manager Certification (for unpackaged food operators).
Fees
Use the icons below to view the full list of Business License Tax Rates and to access the Health Department page where you can find health permit fees.
To find the Business License tax rate, look for Mobile Food Vendor Fees at
To find health permit fees, scroll to the bottom right corner of the page and select the FEES icon.
License and Permit Applications
Submit one of the following applications today.
General Business License Application
Mobile Food Facility Application Support Form
Where can a Mobile Food Facility Operate?
Public Streets
Operators may operate on any public right of way that meets the LBMC 5.37.020 definition of a Street.
A “Street” includes:
- City maintained roadways.
- Areas intended for vehicle travel.
- Routes open to public use.
A “Street” does not include:
- Alleys
- Pedestrian only corridors
- Utility easements
- Promenades
- Bike paths
- Any area not designed for regular vehicular traffic.
Dedicated Street Parking by Lincoln Park on Ocean Blvd.
Operating is permitted in the new dedicated parking area established for Mobile Food Facilities on Ocean Boulevard by the southeast corner of Lincoln Park.
Please note that the locations listed above do not represent all allowable operating areas. Mobile food facilities may also operate in other parts of the city, including on private property, provided they meet all ordinance requirements. Details regarding private property operation are included in a later section below.
Park Parking Lots Pilot Program
In an effort to engage in lawful and safe mobile food facility business in and around Long Beach parks, the City is implementing a one-year pilot program at select park locations. The pilot program will launch in early July and will offer designated spots in park parking lots for food trucks to park in and conduct business. Designated parking spots will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and only during park hours (no later than 10 p.m.); food truck businesses cannot reserve spaces outside of park operating hours.
The list of participating parks include:
- Cesar E. Chavez Park (401 Golden Ave.)
- Cherry Park (1901 E. 45th St.)
- Davenport Park (2910 E. 55th Way)
- El Dorado East Regional Park – pay to enter lot (7550 E. Spring St.)
- Ramona Park (3301 East 65th Street)
- Hudson Park (2335 Webster Ave.)
- Recreation Park (4900 E. Seventh St.)
- Scherer Park (4600 Long Beach Blvd.)
- Granada Beach (5100 E. Ocean Blvd.) – Pending Coastal Commission approval and limited to 1 hour
Shoreline Aquatic Park Surface Lot (PENDING COASTAL COMMISSION APPROVAL)
Located at 212 Golden Shore, operating will be permitted in available spaces:
- Spaces will be first-come, first served.
- Lot must not be restricted for a special event.
- All parking, ordinance, and safety rules apply.
Please note that the locations listed above do not represent all allowable operating areas. Mobile food facilities may also operate in other parts of the city, including on private property, provided they meet all ordinance requirements. Details regarding private property operation are included in a later section below.
Additional Location Requirements To Keep In Mind:
Mobile Food Facilities may NOT:
- Operate within 500 feet of a City concessionaire with an exclusive food or merchandise contract.
- If not hired to operate at a permitted event, mobile food facility operators cannot:
- Operate within 250 feet of the event (for events with fewer than 5,000 attendees).
- Operate within 500 feet of the event (for events with more than 5,000 attendees).
Operating More than 1 hour?
California Health and Safety Code section 114315 requires Mobile Food Facilities to be within 200 feet of an approved restroom for employees. Restroom agreement will be required. Please contact the Long Beach Health Department to obtain Restroom Agreement Letter at (562) 5704132 or environmentalhealth@longbeach.gov.
Operating on Private Property
Long-Term Permits on Private Commercial Property
Those seeking to operate long-term or regularly on private property must get approval from the Department of Community Development – Planning Bureau before setting up on-site. An Administrative Land Use Review (ALUR) permit is required or an Administrative Use Permit (AUP) if looking for exemptions to standard operating conditions. To learn more about the planning processes to operate on private property, contact the Planning Bureau via one of the options below:
- Phone: 562.570.6194
- Submit an Inquiry
- Schedule a Planning appointment (in person or virtual)
For operating requirements related to private property, you can also refer to our Mobile Food Facility Guide (see page 12)
Short-Term Events on Private Commercial Property
For short-term events on private commercial property—where one or more operators gather as part of an organized event—a Mobile Food Facility Event Permit is required. Events may be permitted for up to 3 days, and a daily permit fee applies for each day. Events must be at least 15 days apart. Apply 10–30 business days before the event.
Note: If the event includes amplified entertainment, an Occasional Event Permit is required instead, but may only be issued for one day.
Submit a Mobile Food Facility Event Permit Application
Other Resources
To submit a Mobile Food Facility Complaint visit GO Long Beach
List of Licensed Food Trucks – COMING SOON!
Virtual Educational Webinar Recording– COMING SOON!
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Background
CITY COUNCIL DIRECTION
May 5, 2026 - City Council voted 7 to 0 to adopt a comprehensive Mobile Food Facility (MFF) Ordinance, establishing a modernized regulatory framework for food trucks and other mobile food facility operations citywide. The new ordinance, which will take effect in approximately 30 days, consolidates outdated and inconsistent regulations into a single, streamlined section of the Long Beach Municipal Code, creating clear standards for operators of mobile food facilities while supporting public health, safety and neighborhood quality of life. In addition to clarifying standards, the ordinance is also expanding opportunities for mobile entrepreneurs.
BACKGROUND
August 23, 2022 – The City Council received an update about possible new rules for food trucks. This included a report from Lisa Wise Consulting (LWC), which reviewed current food truck rules, talked with staff and community members, and created recommendations for the future. The plan was first shared in two parts. The first part focused on health, safety, and making sure the rules were consistent. The second part focused on where food trucks can operate and what permits they need. To make things easier and faster, both parts were combined into one effort.August 20, 2025 - Staff released a memo to the City Council with a series of recommendations for a potential Mobile Food Facilities (MFFs) Ordinance.
September 23, 2025 - The City Council received a comprehensive presentation on the current and proposed regulations, as well as community engagement efforts, encouraged areas for MFFs, penalties, enforcements, and next steps.
November 19, 2025 - Staff hosted a virtual informational meeting to provide an overview of the proposed ordinance plus a live Q&A session with attendees. A recording of the virtual meeting and presentation materials are found here:
December 2, 2025 – Staff held an in-person information fair at the Billie Jean King Main Library for food truck and mobile food operators. People could visit different staff tables, ask questions, and start filling out paperwork that may be needed once the new rules are approved and put in place.
