As of August 3, 2018, regulations for food trucks/Mobile Food Units have changed for the State of Arizona. All counties are now following regulations established by Maricopa County. Below are some of the changes highlighted at the recent Pima County meeting. For complete details contact the Pima County Health Department or check out the Maricopa County website.

There is a six-month grace period during which warnings will be issued to comply. By February 1, 2019, all Mobile Food Units will be required to comply.

Type I Mobile Food Unit (Example Ice Cream Truck):

  • Must use all commercially NSF/ANSI-approved equipment
  • All persons working on the cart must have a Food Safety Certification.

Type II Mobile Food Unit (Example Hotdog Stand):

  • Must use all commercially NSF/ANSI-approved equipment
  • All persons working on the cart must have a Food Safety Certification.
  • Must prepare all raw foods in a commissary. This means that you cannot wrap raw bacon on hotdogs and cook it on the grill in your cart. You can use precooked bacon, either purchased precooked or you can cook it at your commissary. It does not need to be kept hot so it will be easy to keep in a cooler with the hotdogs and heated when needed.
  • If you intend to cook bacon in the commissary you need to acquire a Limited Food Manufacturing License.
  • You need to keep your commissary log on your cart for the inspector to view.
  • Name of business must be written on two sides and the back of the unit.
  • Restrooms must be available within 200 ft. of your unit if you are there more than one hour. Port-a-potties must be more than 25 ft. from your unit.

Type III Mobile Food Unit (Example Full Service Fully-Equipped Unit)

  • Must use all commercially NSF/ANSI-approved equipment
  • All persons working on the cart must have a Food Safety Certification.
  • No prep or storage of food outside of the vehicle. This means that you cannot have a condiments bar off the truck.
  • The food service window can now be 324 sq. inches.
  • The three-compartment sink must have a drainboard on both sides
  • Name of business must be written on two sides and the back of the unit.
  • Restrooms must be available within 200 ft. of your unit if you are there more than one hour. Port-a-potties must be more than 25 ft. from your unit.
  • You need to keep your commissary log on your cart for the inspector to view.