Mobile Food Units

Mobile Food Units (MFUs) are restaurants mounted on wheels (or are a boat in the water), including pushcarts, trailers, trucks, or vans. A MFU must be readily movable from place to place during operation. The unit, all operations, and all equipment must be integral to and be within or attached to the unit. To learn more about applying for a MFU permit, visit Applying for a Food Permit – Environmental Health.

VDH issues MFU permits in the form of a sticker; these stickers must be prominently displayed on mobile food units.

Sample of the Virginia Department of Health mobile food unit permit in the form of a sticker. The sticker has the name of the Mobile food unit, the year and month the permit expires, the risk category of the mobile food unit operation, and if the mobile unit has a variance.

In 2018 the Department of Housing and Community Development passed requirements for fire safety specific to mobile food establishments.  Please visit The Virginia Department of Fire Programs website for more information and to find their Mobile Food Preparation Vehicle checklist