Rev. 1/03/23
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Mobile Food Service Establishment
Frequently Asked Questions
All Mobile Food Service Establishments permitted in Georgia shall comply with Chapter 511-6-1
For a copy of rules & regulations, click here: https://dph.georgia.gov/document/document/food-service-
rules-and-regulations-511-6-1/download
Definitions.
1. “Authorization to operate”- means approval from a county board of health to operate within its
jurisdiction for a mobile food service establishment (MFSE) that is permitted in another county that
is referred to as the county of origin.
2. “County of Origin”- County where the permit holder’s base of operations is located.
3. “Good standing”- MFSE has active permits, authorizations issued are not terminated or revoked, and
there are no public health or safety concerns associated with the establishment.
4. “Mobile Food Service Establishment” – A food service establishment that includes both the base of
operation (commissary) and mobile food service unit(s).
Q: How do I start a Mobile Food Service Establishment (MFSE) (i.e., commissary with a mobile
unit/truck) in Georgia?
A: First, determine the local ordinances for the county of origin where you want to operate. Some cities and
counties do not allow mobile food units/trucks – these are separate from health department requirements.
You can review local ordinances through the city or county planning and zoning office.
Next, you are required to have a Base of Operation or Commissary. It should be within a reasonable
distance from where you want to operate your unit/truck, since you will need to make daily trips to dump
wastewater, refill water tanks and restock supplies.
The final step is to obtain permits from the health department for your Base of Operation and your
unit/truck. (It is highly recommended that you do this before you invest any money.).
Q: How do I obtain the required permits or authorizations to operate from the health department?
A: When initiating a mobile food service establishment, you are required to apply for permits for your Base
of Operation and your unit/truck at the health department in the county of origin. You will need to submit
your menu, a to-scale diagram or sketch of the layout of the Base of Operation and the unit/truck, pictures
of your unit/truck (inside and outside), and pay any fees charged by the health department.
Beginning January 1, 2023, permits for MFSEs operating from their county of origin will be recognized in
outside counties. Prior to operating, permit holders are required to apply for authorization to operate from
the health department in the outside county where they intend to operate their mobile unit/truck. For more
information contact your local county board of health for more details:
https://dph.georgia.gov/document/document/environmental-health-county-phone-numbers/download
Rev. 1/03/23
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Q: Are there any fees associated with obtaining permits and authorizations to operate?
A: Yes, there are fees associated with obtaining permits and authorizations to operate. Fees for
authorizations to operate will be associated with administrative costs for the verification of permits in the
county of origin. Fees are determined by county boards of health.
Q: Why do I have to have a Base of Operation? Can I share a base or an existing restaurant’s
equipment or space?
A: The permit holder for each mobile food service unit/truck is required to have his or her own Base of
Operation where wastewater from the unit/truck will be dumped and water tanks refilled. The Base is also
the place where you will store and/or prepare food, and wash, rinse and sanitize any dishes or utensils that
are too big to be washed on the unit/truck. Cleaning and servicing the unit/truck will also be done at the
Base of Operation. The permit holder must return to their Base of Operation daily. Sharing space or
equipment is not allowed due to liability and for traceback purposes should there be a foodborne illness
outbreak. Two separate permit holders are not allowed to share equipment and space.
Q: Do I need a full commercial kitchen at my Base of Operation if I’m only selling hot dogs or snow
cones?
A: The absolute minimum that is required at a Base of Operation is a dump station or mop sink, a
handwashing sink, and a potable fresh water supply tap. Your menu and the equipment you have in your
unit/truck will determine what else may be needed at your Base of Operation. During the plan review, the
health department will let you know if other equipment is required at your Base of Operation.
Q: Can my Base of Operation be at my house?
A: It depends. The Georgia Food Service Rules and Regulations prohibit food service establishment
operations conducted in a private home or in a room used as living or sleeping quarters. However, if local
zoning and other ordinances allow for the use of your private property as a Base of Operation, and you
have an area that is completely separate from residential use (e.g., an outbuilding in your yard), then the
health department may allow you to use your property as a Base of Operation. You may be required to
make modifications to your septic system or sewer for wastewater disposal and provide proof that water
from your individual well meets drinking water standards set forth by the Georgia Environmental Protection
Division, if your home is not served by a municipal drinking water supply.
Q: Why do I need to obtain an authorization to operate for each outside county in which I operate
my unit/truck?
A: In May 2022, HB 1443 was signed into law that mandated that an MFSE permitted in any county within
the State of Georgia shall have that permit recognized in all other outside counties within the state.
According to O.C.G.A. §26-2-373, the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is the agency with
authority to promulgate rules and polices regarding the recognition and authorization of these MFSEs
wishing to operate within these outside counties if they have an active permit. As a result, DPH developed
an authorization process for MFSE operators to utilize when operating in outside counties. Refer to
Application for Authorization to Operate in Multiple Counties
Rev. 1/03/23
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Q: What happens if I have permits in counties outside my county of origin on or before, Jan 1, 2023?
A: According to the new law, once a mobile food service establishment is permitted by the county of origin,
that permit shall be recognized by all outside counties in the state of Georgia. Therefore, if you have
permits in other counties outside your county of origin (or county where your commissary/base of
operation is located), then prior to Dec 31, 2022, you should receive notice from the local board of health
that issued these permits, that these permits will be closed, effective by a specific date. The closure of the
permits is because under the new law a permit is no longer required by counties outside the county of
origin. This also means fees associated with those permits will not renew. However, to continue to operate
within the county in compliance with the new law, the permit holder must be authorized by the local
department of health to operate in the county. The permit holder must apply for authorization through the
new mobile authorization process. Through the new process, the local health department will verify that
the mobile food service establishment’s permits received in the county of origin are maintained in good
standing and that the mobile food service establishment has been operating with no public health or safety
concerns. If the mobile food service establishment has been operating in good standing and has no public
health or safety concerns, the local county board of health will issue the mobile food service establishment
authorization to operate within the county’s jurisdiction and operations can resume within that county.
Q: Do I need an inspection for authorization?
A: No. You will not receive an inspection for authorization. However, MFSE may be subject to periodic and
unannounced inspections in any outside county where its permit has been recognized. Inspections are
conducted at the discretion of the health authority.
Q: Where can I park my unit/truck when I’m not using it?
A: When the unit/truck is not in use, it can be stored at your Base of Operation or another location that has
been approved by the health department.
Q: Can I just drive around and serve food anywhere in the county for which I have a permit or in
outside counties for which I have authorization to operate?
A: Wherever you plan to stage your unit/truck to sell food, you must have written approval from the
property owner. You must ensure that a working restroom is within 200 feet and have a written restroom
agreement from the business that allows you and your employees to have access during the time you are
there. (If tables are provided for customers, then the restroom must be available to them as well.) Finally,
you must inform the health department of all vending locations and times for your unit/truck prior to
operating at those locations.
Q: May I operate at a temporary food event such as fairs or festivals with an authorization to operate
in an outside county?
A: Yes. However, the event shall be included as one of your locations on your route/location sheet and you
shall return to your base of operation daily. If you do not return to your base of operation daily for a fair or
festival, you would need to apply for a Temporary Food Service permit within that outside county to
continue operating at that event.
For more information: https://dph.georgia.gov/environmental-health/food-service
