In accordance with the adopted ordinance in Kings County, California, all mobile food preparation vehicles/carts must apply for a permit with the Kings County Fire Department and the Kings County Department of Health on an annual basis. These vehicles/carts must pass an inspection by both departments before permits are issued. A food cart is defined as an open cart where the vendor is on the outside of the apparatus. A food trailer/truck is defined as an enclosed vehicle or trailer where the vendor is inside the apparatus. Each mobile food apparatus is permitted separately.

All mobile food vendors are subject to inspection at any time while cooking or selling food within Kings County.

Requirements:

1. All cooking vendors are required to have at least one portable A, B, C fire extinguisher. Food carts require a minimum 1A:10B:C extinguisher. Food trucks and trailers require a minimum 2A:10B:C extinguisher. Extinguishers are to be located within 30 feet of cooking equipment, and properly mounted and secured.
   
   
2. A 1.5 gallon Class K portable fire extinguisher is required in all apparatus that have cooking operations producing grease laden vapors in accordance with the 2025 California Fire Code, Section 906.4. These extinguishers must be maintained annually by a certified fire extinguisher service and shall display the appropriate California State Fire Marshal tag.
   
   
3. Propane (LP) tanks must be properly secured during transport and must be isolated from interior or passenger areas. LP tanks must be kept away from open flames and other heat sources, such as generators. LP cylinders will be inspected to ensure they are not more than 12 years old unless hydro-tested by a certified inspector.
   
   
4. All mobile food vehicles equipped with appliances that produce smoke or grease laden vapors are required to have a Type 1 kitchen exhaust hood and shall be protected by an automatic fire extinguishing system that is listed and labeled for its intended use in accordance with the California Mechanical Code and the 2025 California Fire Code, Section 904.14.
   
   
   • A manual actuation device shall be located at or near a means of egress from the cooking area not less than 10 feet and not more than 20 feet from the kitchen exhaust system. The manual device shall be installed not more than 48 inches or less than 42 inches above the floor and shall clearly identify the hazard protected. The manual actuation shall require a maximum force of 40 pounds and a maximum movement of 14 inches to actuate the fire suppression system.
     
     
   • The actuation of the fire extinguishing system shall automatically shut down the fuel or electrical power supply to the cooking equipment. The fuel and electrical supply reset shall be manual.
     
     
   • Automatic fire extinguishing systems protecting cooking equipment shall be maintained and serviced not less frequently than every six months and after activation of the system. This service shall be performed by qualified individuals, and a certificate of inspection shall be maintained in the mobile food preparation vehicle.
     
     
5. A listed LP gas/carbon monoxide detector is required in all food trucks and trailers. Either hard-wired or plug-in type with battery backup is acceptable.
   
   
6. All exhaust hoods, grease removal devices, fans, and ducts shall be cleaned on a regular basis. If during inspection it is found that hoods, grease removal devices, fans, ducts, or other appurtenances have an accumulation of grease, such components shall be cleaned prior to a permit being issued.
   
   
7. Gas-fired cooking appliances installed on casters and appliances that are moved for cleaning and sanitation purposes shall be connected to the piping system with an appliance connector listed as complying with ANSI Z21.69. The connector installation shall be configured in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions. A restraining device installed in accordance with the connector and appliance manufacturer’s instructions shall limit movement of appliances with casters.
   
   
8. After passing inspection by the Fire Department, a permit sticker will be issued. This sticker shall be displayed on the outside of the food preparation vehicle.

If the California Fire Code is amended to be more stringent, these requirements may be changed to align with those amendments.