California Code
CHAPTER 11.7 - Compact Mobile Food Operation
Section 114368.3.

114368.3 (a) (1) A permitted cottage food operation or microenterprise home kitchen operation may serve as a commissary or mobile support unit for up to two compact mobile food operations if the cottage food operation or microenterprise home kitchen operation permit includes an endorsement from the local enforcement agency that the cottage food operation or microenterprise home kitchen operation is capable of supporting the preparation and storage of the food being sold from the compact mobile food operation and the storage and cleaning of the compact mobile food operation.

(2) Transactions at a compact mobile food operation operated by a cottage food operator shall constitute “direct sales” for the purposes of paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of Section 113758.

(3) Transactions at up to two compact mobile food operations operated by a cottage food operator shall not count toward the annual gross sales restrictions in Section 113758 applicable to cottage food operations if the governing body has authorized this action.

(4) Nonpotentially hazardous foods prepared in a cottage food operation may be served from a compact mobile food operation.

(5) Food prepared in a microenterprise home kitchen operation may be served from a compact mobile food operation operated by the microenterprise home kitchen operation permitholder.

(6) The meal and gross annual sales limitations in paragraphs (7) and (8) of subdivision (a) of Section 113825 do not apply to the sale of nonpotentially hazardous food or produce for up to two compact mobile food operations operated by the microenterprise home kitchen operation if the governing body has authorized this action.

(7) With the authorization of the governing body and if the enforcement agency determines that the operation does not pose a public health hazard, a permitted microenterprise home kitchen operation may serve as a commissary for up to two compact mobile food operations. The meal and gross annual sales limitations in paragraphs (7) and (8) of subdivision (a) of Section 113825 apply unless the governing body sets a higher meal and income limitation.

(8) The governing body of a local jurisdiction that permits microenterprise home kitchen operations pursuant to Section 114367, may set the meal and income limitations in paragraphs (7) and (8) of subdivision (a) of Section 113825 at a higher level than provided in those paragraphs for microenterprise home kitchen operations that operate in conjunction with a compact mobile food operation. Notwithstanding this subdivision, the levels in effect, by statute or ordinance, as of January 1, 2023, shall remain in effect until changed by the local jurisdiction.

(b) (1) Existing permanent food facilities may be permitted to support the operations and storage of compact mobile food operations pursuant to the requirements of this section.

(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, upon an evaluation verifying that a permanent food facility satisfies subdivisions (a) to (f), inclusive, of Section 114326, an enforcement agency shall approve the use of a permitted permanent food facility to satisfy the requirements of Section 114295 for a compact mobile food operation.

(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, upon an evaluation verifying that the compact mobile food operation will be stored in a manner that protects the compact mobile food operation from contamination, an enforcement agency shall approve the storage of a compact mobile food operation in a permitted permanent food facility.

(4) Except when a determination is made by the enforcement agency that any nonconforming structural conditions pose a public health hazard, the enforcement agency may approve a facility to support operations of a compact mobile food operation.

(5) Plan submission shall not be required for an existing permanent food facility to support the operations of a compact mobile food operation when a determination is made by the local enforcement agency that the current operation and structural facilities of the permanent food facility can successfully provide the necessary functions of a commissary for a compact mobile food operation.

(6) An approved permanent food facility that will be used for cooling of food for a compact mobile food operation shall be approved by the enforcement agency for cooling.

(c) (1) Unless prohibited by local ordinance, an enforcement agency may allow the use of a private home for the storage of a compact mobile food operation if it determines, after an evaluation, that storage in the private home would not pose a public health hazard and that the compact mobile food operation will be stored in a manner that protects the compact mobile food operation from contamination.

(2) No more than two compact mobile food operations may be stored in a private home unless the enforcement agency finds that storage of more than two compact mobile food operations in a private home would not pose a public health hazard.

(3) The storage area within the home shall be designated and clearly identified upon approval and shall not be relocated without the review and approval of the local enforcement agency.

(4) Prepackaged nonpotentially hazardous food, whole fruits, and whole vegetables may be stored in the home prior to sale or preparation of that food in a compact mobile food operation.

(5) Food prepared in a private home shall not be used or offered for sale on a compact mobile food operation, unless it is a permitted cottage food operation or microenterprise home kitchen operation pursuant to subdivision (a). Violation of this paragraph may result in suspension or revocation of the permit to operate the compact mobile food operation.

(6) For purposes of determining compliance with this subdivision, a local enforcement agency may access, for inspection purposes, a private home where a compact mobile food operation is stored only if the representative has, on the basis of a consumer complaint, reason to suspect that the home is being used for food preparation, food storage, or unauthorized storage of utensils or other food facility equipment in violation of this subdivision.

(d) At the end of the operating day, potentially hazardous food that is prepared on or served from a compact mobile food operation shall be destroyed in a manner approved by the enforcement agency.

(e) For the purposes of this chapter, an endorsement by the local enforcement agency shall be a documented and recorded approval of compliance with applicable sections. An endorsement may include an inspection or evaluation, but shall not require a registration or permit.

(f) The enforcement agency may collect a fee for any permit, endorsement, inspection, or evaluation issued or conducted pursuant to this chapter in an amount that does not exceed the reasonable administrative costs of the enforcement agency.

(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 489, Sec. 4. (SB 972) Effective January 1, 2023.)