Mobile Unit Information

Mobile Food Units

Mobile food units make up a diverse and thriving industry that Oregon is nationally known for. Oregon Health Authority (OHA) supports their growth statewide. The agency is unique in that it does not automatically require a unit to have a commissary – a licensed kitchen where dishes can be washed, food is prepared in advance, and food and equipment are stored – if operators can show their units can be self-sufficient. Operators must, however, keep everything “integral” to the unit and operate within the capacity of the unit.

Where should you start?

Reaching out to your local County Environmental Health Office the best place to get information on licensing and get all your questions answered before purchasing or bulding a unit. Even commercially made food carts might not meet the rules, so you can save money by calling your local health department first.

Here are some operators sharing their stories:

Mobile Unit Applications and Guidelines

If you plan to operate a new or previously licensed mobile unit, a Mobile Unit License Application must be submitted to the Local Public Health Authority in your area. Facilities that are being constructed or remodeled must complete the plan review process locally prior to construction.

The license application and plan review process and fees may vary, so contact your Local Public Health Authority for details.

Mobile Unit Plan Review Application (pdf)

Mobile Unit License Application (pdf)

Mobile Food Unit Operation Guide (pdf)

Calculating your tank/sink sizes

Enter the measurements for your sinks or water tanks and this will give you the gallon capacity.

Enter the length, width and height of the tank.
Use the same number for the "Filled Height" as you put in the "Height" box.
Click on Calculate
When it is done, look the "Liquid Capacity (US g)" box for the answer for that sink or tank.

Tank Volume Calculator

Tank Volume Calculator by GIGAcalculator.com

"Know the Code" - Fact Sheets for Operators

Additional languages available courtesy of our partners at Multnomah County Environmental Health. Full list of fact sheets available on our Food Sanitation Rules webpage.

#24 Mobile Unit Handwashing Systems Under Mechanical Pressure - Arabic, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), Chuukese, French, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Laotian, Nepali, Romanian, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, Ukrainian, Vietnamese
#25 Special Processes in Food Service Establishment - Arabic, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), Chuukese, French, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Laotian, Nepali, Romanian, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, Ukrainian, Vietnamese
#31 Cooling - Arabic, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), Chuukese, French, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Laotian, Nepali, Romanian, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, Ukrainian, Vietnamese
#33 Mobile Food Unit Tank Cleaning- Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (traditional), Chuukese, French, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Laotian, Nepali, Romanian, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, Ukrainian, Vietnamese
#34 Mobile Food Unit Integral Operations - Arabic, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), Chuukese, French, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Laotian, Nepali, Romanian, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, Ukrainian, Vietnamese
#35 Mobile Food Unit Wastewater Disposal- Arabic, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), Chuukese, French, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Laotian, Nepali, Romanian, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, Ukrainian, Vietnamese

Additional Mobile Unit Plan Review Videos

Plan review steps from our partners at Coos Health and Wellness in English:

And Spanish:

Mobile Food Unit Rule Changes - February 1, 2020

The mobile food units, or food carts, were updated February 1, 2020, so counties statewide could strengthen enforcement and protect the public. Operators were given three years to comply, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, OHA and local public health agencies continue to be supportive and are ready to work with operators on compliance schedules to give them more time to come into compliance with some of the significant changes.

The Foodborne Illness Prevention Program has adopted new rules relating to mobile food units (food trucks and food carts) and temporary restaurants. The new rules went into effect on February 1, 2020. The new rules were developed by a workgroup consisting of industry, interested parties and local health department members and update the standards for mobile food units, which have not been subject to a major revision since 1997. A summary of the rule changes is available in English and Spanish, but are not the only changes to the mobile food unit standards.

OHA Press Release - January 24, 2023 - Mobile unit compliance deadline prompts new interest in rules

English, Arabic, Chinese - Simplified, Chinese - Traditional, Chuukese, Farsi - Iran, Hmong, Korean, Marshallese, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Vietnamese