Pushcarts & Mobile Food Units

Pushcart & Mobile Food Unit Resources

  1. NC Food Code Manual (PDF)
  2. Rules Governing the Protection and Sanitation of Food Establishments, 15A NCAC 18A .2600 (PDF)

What Is a Pushcart?


A pushcart is defined as a mobile piece of equipment or vehicle used to vend food.


  • Only hot dogs shall be prepared, handled or served from a pushcart and/or,


  • Food which has been prepared, pre-portioned, and individually pre-wrapped at a food establishment or commissary may be served from a pushcart.

What Is a Mobile Food Unit?

A mobile food unit is defined as a food establishment with:

  • no permanent utility connections, except for an onsite electrical connection,
  • that is designed to be moved and vend food and
  • that does not provide seating facilities for customers to use while eating or drinking.

Minimum requirements for pushcarts and mobile food units are found in sections .2670-.2672 of the NC Rules Governing the Food Protection and Sanitation of Food Establishments, 15A NCAC 18A.2600.  Specific information regarding finish (floors, walls and ceilings) and water system requirements can be found in Chapter 6 and Parts 5-3 and 5-4 of the NC Food Code Manual.

Due to their small size and transitory set up, pushcarts and mobile food units must operate in conjunction with a permitted commissary and report at least daily to the commissary for supplies, cleaning, and servicing.  Proposed commissaries are evaluated to ensure adequate facilities are available and a signed Commissary Agreement must accompany the plan review application.

Pushcart and mobile food unit permits are issued by the county where the commissary is located.  If your commissary is in Brunswick County, submit a completed plan review application, menu, floorplan (minimum ¼”=1’), equipment specification sheets, commissary agreement form and plan review fee to our office to begin the review and permitting process.  

*Mobile Food Units that wish to operate as their own commissary must contact Environmental Health for additional information.

As a safety provision, an LP-gas piping inspection should be completed by NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA &CS) before a permit is issued. 

Sanitation inspections are conducted, and grade cards are posted on mobile food units and pushcarts. Previous inspections are available for review on our Inspection Scores page.

Pushcarts and mobile food units which only vend food items such as coffee, lemonade, ice cream and Italian ice are regulated by NCDA & CS and do not require a permit from our office.   Contact the NCDA & CS Food and Drug Protection Division at 984-236-4820.

Please Note: In addition to a permit from this office, pushcarts and mobile food units must meet all requirements of the county or local jurisdiction(s) for all proposed operating location(s). We strongly recommend you contact the applicable zoning office (PDF) to discuss requirements and restrictions prior to beginning this process