GENERAL INFORMATION
A mobile food unit is defined
in OAR 333-162-0000(31) as
any vehicle
that is self-propelled, or which can be pushed or pulled down a sidewalk,
street or highway, on which food is prepared, processed or converted, or which
is used in selling and dispensing food to the ultimate consumer. There is
no size limit to mobile food units, except they must meet the following
requirements:
Ψ
The unit must be a
vehicle and not require a special permit from the Oregon Department of
Transportation to be moved.
Ψ
Mobile food units must
be mobile at all times during operation. There is no requirement to move the
unit at specific intervals, however, the unit must be on wheels at all times
and have no permanent connections to any utility service (including water,
sewer, or electric).
Ψ
The unit and all
operations and equipment must be integral to the unit. This precludes the use
of a barbecue with a Class III or IV unit, nor the use of 12 cubic feet of
storage on any class of unit.
There are four types of
mobile food units. The mobile food unit classifications are based upon the type
of menu served.
CLASS I
These units can sell only intact prepackaged foods and dispense non-perishable
beverages. No dispensed ice is allowed. No preparation or assembly of food
items is allowed.
CLASS II
These units may dispense unpackaged foods. However, no cooking, preparation or
assembly of foods is allowed on the unit.
CLASS III
These units may cook, prepare and assemble food items. However, no raw-to-finish
cooking of animal foods is allowed on the unit.
CLASS IV
These units may serve a full menu.
Please keep in mind that
because mobile food unit design is related to the menu served, any change in
the menu must be approved by the health department. Failure to obtain approval
for a menu change may result in closure of your unit.
Prior to licensure by the
health department, there may be other agencies from which you will be required
to obtain approvals. These include, but are not limited to planning (zoning), building
codes (structural, electrical, plumbing, prefabricated structures), fire
marshal, or city or county authorities.
In particular, mobile food units in which the operator occupies the inside of
the unit and the unit stays in one location for more than 30 days must undergo
plan review and receive approval from
the Prefabricated Structures Section of
Building Codes Division. Please call
(503) 378-4133 to obtain approval. Health department approval does not imply
that your unit meets other agency codes.
Finally, while this document contains some detailed information about the rules for the construction and operation of mobile food units, it does not contain all the requirements for your unit. Please refer to the Mobile Food Unit Rules http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/rules/OARs_300/OAR_333/333_162.html for all the requirements.