Chapter 6.08 — FOOD HANDLING SERVICES

The purpose of this chapter is to authorize the County Health Officer to enforce and observe in the City all orders and quarantine regulations prescribed by the State Department of Health Services, the California Health and Safety Code and all other applicable statutes and regulations relating to public health, pursuant to the authority of California Health and Safety Code Section 101375. (Ord. 96-24 § 1 (part), 1996; Ord. 2023-22 § 384, 2023)

The following terms used in this chapter shall have the meanings indicated below:

“Certified farmers’ market” shall be as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 113742.

“Commissary” shall be as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 113751.

“Food facility” shall be as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 113789.

“Food processing establishment” shall be as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 111955.

“Inspector” means a registered environmental health specialist, as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 106615, employed by the Health Department, or the Health Officer or any deputy Health Officer authorized to inspect premises or equipment for the enforcement of this chapter.

“Mobile food facility” shall be as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 113831.

“Produce stand” shall be as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 113879.

“Restricted food service facility” shall be as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 113893.

“Satellite food service” shall be as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 113899.

“Temporary food facility” shall be as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 113930.

“Vehicle” shall be as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 670.

“Vending machine” shall be as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 113938. (Ord. 96-24 § 1 (part), 1996; Ord. 2023-22 § 385, 2023)

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate any food facility, vending machine business, or any other food handling business within the City without first applying for and receiving a food vending permit issued by the Health Department under the provisions of this chapter.

B. Every applicant for a food vending permit shall file with the Health Department a written
application which shall state the name and address of the applicant, the character and
location of the activity for which a permit is required under this chapter and such other

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/NE4559 on 2026-09-25

City of Newport Beach, CA § 6.08.030 NEWPORT BEACH CODE § 6.08.060

information as the Health Department may require. Applicants for a permit to operate a
mobile food facility shall, in addition, provide a list of three service stops which shall
include the address of exact location and time of each stop.

C. A permit may be issued when investigation has determined that the proposed facility and
its method of operation will conform to all applicable laws and regulations. A permit, once
issued, is nontransferable. A permit shall be valid only for the person, location, type of food
sales or distribution activity approved and, unless suspended or revoked, for the time period
indicated.

D. Any permit may be suspended or revoked for a violation of any applicable provisions of
law or regulation. Any food facility, vending machine business, food processing
establishment, or any other food handling business governed by this chapter, for which the
permit has been suspended or revoked shall close and remain closed until the permit has
been reinstated or until a new permit has been issued.

E. Permits may be granted any time during the year. A permit shall be posted in a conspicuous
place on the premises or vehicle for which it is issued.
(Ord. 96-24 § 1 (part), 1996; Ord. 2023-22 § 386, 2023)

A person proposing to build or remodel a food facility, vending machine business, food processing establishment, or any other food handling business governed by this chapter, shall submit three copies of the complete plans and specifications to the Health Department for review and approval pursuant to the applicable requirements of the California Health and Safety Code. The Health Officer may thereafter issue a certificate stating what modifications, if any, are required for compliance with applicable laws and ordinances. (Ord. 96-24 § 1 (part), 1996; Ord. 2023-22 § 387, 2023)

A permit issued under this chapter or its predecessor may be suspended or revoked under the procedure set forth in this chapter for any of the following reasons:

A. Violation of State law;

B. Violation of this chapter;

C. Violation of the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter; or

D. Upon recommendation by the Health Officer.
(Ord. 96-24 § 1 (part), 1996)

When any State laws, this chapter, or Department rules and regulations have been violated, an inspector may serve a written notice entitled “notice of violation,” specifying:

A. The acts or omissions with which the permittee is charged.

B. The provision or provisions violated.

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/NE4559 on 2026-09-25

City of Newport Beach, CA § 6.08.060 HEALTH AND SANITATION § 6.08.090

C. The corrective steps required.

D. The date by which all such corrections must be completed, allowing a reasonable period to
make necessary corrections.

E. That the permittee has a right to a hearing upon written request or that a mandatory hearing
has been scheduled.

F. That if no hearing is requested or the permittee fails to appear at the scheduled hearing and
if the Health Department does not receive notice that all such corrections have been made
before 9:00 a.m. of the date specified under subsection (D) of this section, the permit will
be subject to suspension or revocation from that time until all violations have been
corrected.
(Ord. 96-24 § 1 (part), 1996; Ord. 2023-22 § 388, 2023)

A. The hearing shall be held by a Hearing Officer who is the Health Officer or his or her duly authorized representative and a registered environmental health specialist as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 106615 and registered as provided in California Health and Safety Code Section 106710 thereof, but shall not be the inspector who reported the violations or who inspected any corrective measure taken.

B. The permit holder shall have the right to a hearing, if requested, on all violations listed in
the notice. A written request for a hearing shall be made by the permittee within fifteen
(15) days after receipt of the notice. A failure to request a hearing within fifteen (15) days
after receipt of the notice shall be deemed a waiver of the right to a hearing. When
circumstances warrant, the Hearing Officer may order a hearing at any reasonable time
within this fifteen (15) day period to expedite the permit suspension or revocation process.

C. The hearing shall be held within fifteen (15) days of the receipt of a request for a hearing.
Upon written request of the permittee, the Hearing Officer may postpone any hearing date,
if circumstances warrant such action.

D. At the conclusion of the hearing, the hearing officer shall issue a written notice of decision
to the permittee within five working days following the hearing. In the event of a
suspension or revocation, the notice shall specify the acts or omissions with which the
permittee is charged, and shall state the terms of the suspension, or that the permit has been
revoked.

E. The Health Officer may, after providing opportunity for a hearing, modify, suspend, or
revoke a permit for serious or repeated violations of any of the requirements of the
applicable laws, rules and regulations.
(Ord. 96-24 § 1 (part), 1996; Ord. 2023-22 § 389, 2023)

It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person to deny or hinder entry by any inspector for the purpose of inspection any of the premises described in Section 6.08.030, Permit Required—Conditions and Terms above, or any portion thereof; and in such event the inspector may forthwith suspend the food vending permit issued for the premises. (Ord. 96-24 § 1 (part), 1996)

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/NE4559 on 2026-09-25

City of Newport Beach, CA § 6.08.090 NEWPORT BEACH CODE § 6.08.120

A. If any immediate danger to the public health or safety is found, unless the danger is immediately corrected, an inspector may temporarily suspend the permit and order the premises immediately closed. “Immediate danger to the public health and safety” means any condition, based upon inspection findings or other evidence, that can cause food infection, food intoxication, disease transmission or hazardous condition, including but not limited to unsafe food temperature, sewage contamination, nonpotable water supply, or an employee who is a carrier of a communicable disease.

B. Whenever a permit is suspended as the result of an immediate danger to the public health
or safety, the inspector shall issue to the permittee a notice setting forth the acts or
omissions with which the permittee is charged, specifying the pertinent code section, and
informing the permittee of the right to a hearing.

C. At any time within fifteen (15) days after service of a notice pursuant to subsection (B) of
this section, the permittee may request in writing a hearing before a Hearing Officer to
show cause why the permit suspension is not warranted. The hearing shall be held within
fifteen (15) days of the receipt of a request for a hearing. A failure to request a hearing
within fifteen (15) days shall be deemed a waiver of the right to such hearing.
(Ord. 96-24 § 1 (part), 1996; Ord. 2023-22 § 390, 2023)

When any permit is first suspended hereunder, or when any premises governed hereby shall have been closed for business and left in an unsanitary condition, the Health Department shall have the power to enter to ensure that the premises are closed down in a manner which will not endanger the public health. If the permittee or his employee in charge cannot be found, or is unwilling or unable to remedy the condition of the premises, the owner of the premises shall be notified of the unsanitary conditions and shall be required to take such remedial action as may be necessary to obviate such condition. (Ord. 96-24 § 1 (part), 1996)

The Health Officer may adopt and enforce rules and regulations necessary to administer this chapter including, but not limited to, regulations pertaining to:

A. Forms for applications, permits and notices.

B. Forms and procedures for hearings upon the granting, denying, suspending, revoking or
reinstating of permits.

C. Inspection of premises and reporting thereon.
(Ord. 96-24 § 1 (part), 1996)

In addition to all other applicable provisions of the California Health and Safety Code and of this chapter, mobile food preparation units shall comply with the following safety requirements:

A. Compressors, auxiliary engines, generators, batteries, battery charges, gas-fueled water

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/NE4559 on 2026-09-25

City of Newport Beach, CA § 6.08.120 HEALTH AND SANITATION § 6.08.120

heaters, and similar equipment shall be installed so as to be accessible only from the outside
of the unit.

B. All equipment installed in any part of the unit shall be secured so as to prevent movement
during transit and to prevent detachment in the event of a collision or overturn.

C. All equipment installed within the interior of the unit, including the interiors of cabinets or
compartments, shall be constructed so as to be free of sharp or jagged edges.

D. All utensils shall be stored so as to prevent their being hurled about in the event of a sudden
stop, collision or overturn. A safety knife holder shall be provided to avoid loose storage of
knives in cabinets, boxes or slots along counter aisles. Knife holders shall be designed to
be easily cleaned and be manufactured of materials approved by the Health Officer.

E. Ceiling light fixtures shall be recessed or flush-mounted and sealed and shall be equipped
with safety covers approved by the Health Officer. The minimum clearance from the floor
to the light fixture shall be at least one hundred eighty-eight (188) centimeters (seventy-six
(76) inches) or the fixture shall be installed out of the traffic aisle or work area.

F. High voltage (110-120 v) electrical wiring shall be properly installed in electrical conduit
with all splices or connections being made within junction, outlet or switch as to prevent
the use of extension cords exceeding one hundred eighty-three (183) centimeters (six feet).
Outside electrical connection receptacles shall be of weatherproof design with cover.

G. Attached, firmly anchored seats with backrests, equipped with seat belts, shall be provided
for all occupants. If a jump seat in the aisle way is utilized, it shall fold in a manner that
will clear the aisle way when not in use and be held with a self-latching mechanism. Seats
and backrests shall be at least thirty-five and five-tenths (35.5) centimeters by thirty-five
and five-tenths (35.5) centimeters (fourteen (14) inches by fourteen (14) inches) in size. All
occupants shall be seated, shall wear seat belts and shall not cook or prepare food while the
unit is in motion. Signs setting forth the latter three requirements shall be posted in both
English and Spanish.

H. A first-aid kit approved by the Health Officer shall be provided and located in a convenient
area in an enclosed case.

I. All pressure cylinders shall be securely fastened to a rigid structure of the unit. All liquefied
petroleum gas (LPG) equipment shall be installed as follows:

1. The LP gas tanks and relief valves shall be ASME-approved for intended use.

2. Tanks shall be securely fastened and located where they will normally not be subject
to damage. They may be in a body compartment or underneath the body. The tank or
fittings must not protrude beyond the body.

3. Tanks and regulators shall be separated from any open flame by a vapor-tight
partition.

4. When tanks are installed in a body compartment, the partitions shall be sealed off
from the rest of the body with no openings to the interior except for the tubing. The
following additional requirements shall be met:

a. All tank valves and fittings shall be readily accessible from outside the unit.

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/NE4559 on 2026-09-25

City of Newport Beach, CA § 6.08.120 NEWPORT BEACH CODE § 6.08.130

b. The tank safety relief valve shall be vented to the outside and directed
downward.

c. The filling shall be done through an outside door to the compartment.

d. The compartment shall be vented to the exterior of the unit so as to prevent
accumulation of gas.

5. Tubing that passes through partitions shall be protected by grommets made of rubber
or other approved materials.

6. Tubing exposed to friction shall be protected against chafing.

7. Expansion and contraction bends shall be made in the tubing between the tank and
the appliance.

8. ASME-approved LP gas tubing or standard weight pipe shall be used throughout.

9. Protective “thread” caps shall be installed on fill-line check valves.

10. Every appliance fueled by LP gas shall be equipped with a pilot light attachment and
provided with an ASME-approved device which will automatically shut off all gas to
the appliance if the pilot light should be extinguished.

J. A minimum 5 B.C.-rated portable fire extinguisher (UL or State Fire Marshal approved design) shall be installed in plain sight and within easy reach, immediately inside the front driver’s door. The extinguisher shall be replaced or recharged after each use. (Ord. 96-24 § 1 (part), 1996; Ord. 2023-22 § 391, 2023)

Multi-Locations in Any Day.

In addition to the requirements specified in Section 6.08.120, Mobile Food Preparation Units
Generally above, mobile food preparation units which operate at more than one (1) location in
any calendar day, shall comply with the following additional requirements:

A. Coffee urns shall be installed in a compartment that will prevent excessive spillage of
coffee in the interior of the unit in the event of a sudden stop, collision or overturn, or, as
an alternative to this requirement, coffee urns shall be equipped with positive closing lids
as well as perforated metal protective sleeves on the glass liquid level sight gauges.

B. Deep fat fryers are prohibited, unless equipped with positive closing lids to contain the fat
and to prevent splashing or excessive spillage in transit or in the event of a sudden stop,
collision or overturn of the unit. Such lids shall be designed and constructed so as to prevent
pressure buildup which could result in an explosion. All lids shall be kept positively closed
while the unit is in motion. Signs setting for the latter requirements shall be posted in both
English and Spanish.

C. Water bath or steam food insert tables shall be provided with baffles to prevent surging in
transit. All such tables, as well as dry heat units, their insert food containers and similar
equipment that contains hot liquids or hot foods shall be positive closing lids to contain all
such liquids or foods and to prevent splashing or spillage in transit or in the event of a
sudden stop, collision or overturn of the unit. Such lids shall be designed and constructed

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/NE4559 on 2026-09-25

City of Newport Beach, CA § 6.08.130 HEALTH AND SANITATION § 6.08.140

so as to prevent pressure buildup which could result in an explosion. All lids shall be positively closed while the unit is in motion. Signs setting forth the latter requirement shall be posted in both English and Spanish.

D. An alternate means of exit in the side opposite the main exit door, or the roof, or the rear of the unit, with unobstructed passage of sixty-one (61) centimeters by ninety-two (92) centimeters (twenty four (24) inches by thirty-six (36) inches) minimum to the outside, shall be provided. The interior latching mechanism shall be labeled “Safety Exit” in contrasting colors with at least two and fifty-four one hundredths (2.54) centimeters (one (1) inch) high letters. (Ord. 96-24 § 1 (part), 1996)

Applications for a food vending permit shall be filed with the Health Department on a form to be provided by the Department. Applications shall be accompanied by payment of the required fee. The required fee shall be any such fee adopted by resolution of the County Board of Supervisors to be paid by the permittee directly to the Health Officer and retained by the County as reimbursement for services related to this chapter, as authorized by California Health and Safety Code Section 101325. (Ord. 96-24 § 1 (part), 1996; Ord. 2023-22 § 392, 2023)

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/NE4559 on 2026-09-25

City of Newport Beach, CA § 6.25.005 HEALTH AND SANITATION § 6.25.010