Determining if You Need an L&I Inspection for Your Food Truck Trailer
Do you operate a food truck trailer in Washington? L&I requires inspections for food truck trailers before operation. Answer these questions to determine if your mobile unit qualifies as a food truck trailer requiring an inspection:
- Will you sell food or other items from the truck/trailer at temporary locations?
- Is the truck/trailer licensed as a vehicle?
- Do employees work inside the unit?
- Do customers order and receive food from outside the unit?
- Does it have at least one of the following:
- Electrical system 120v or greater?
- Water or drain system?
- Propane gas piping system?
- Is the truck/trailer no wider than 8.5 feet?
If you answered “yes” to all of these questions, your mobile unit is classified as a food truck trailer and requires an L&I inspection.
Understanding the L&I Insignia Tag:
Upon passing inspection, your food truck trailer will receive an L&I insignia tag. This tag contains vital information:
- Vendor No.: Your unique L&I assigned manufacturer number.
- P.A.: Approved plan number (if applicable).
- D: Date the L&I sticker was issued.
- MSN: Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of your food truck trailer.
- VEN: Tag number specifically assigned to your unit.
- Electrical Service Load: Amps/volts of the unit’s electrical system.
- Plumbing Fixtures: Number of plumbing fixtures in the unit.
- Heating and/or Cooling: Indicates whether the unit has heating or cooling systems.
- Blank Space: If your unit is plan exempt, it will be noted here.
Plan Review and Submission Requirements for Food Truck Trailers
Certain equipment and features in your food truck trailer necessitate submitting plans for approval before inspection. Answer the following questions to determine if plan submission is required:
- Do you have commercial cooking equipment requiring a commercial-grade ventilation hood and fire suppression system? (Espresso machines and small plug-in appliances are excluded.)
- Does your cooking equipment use solid fuels like wood or charcoal?
- Do you have a propane or other fuel gas piping system?
- Does your electrical system exceed 50 amps, 240 volts, or 5 circuits?
- Do you utilize alternate energy sources such as photovoltaic systems or fuel cells?
- Do you have a bathroom or plumbing for bodily waste?
- Does any individual piece of equipment weigh over 500 pounds?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you must submit plans to L&I for review and approval before scheduling an inspection.
Inspection Process for Food Truck Trailers
Whether or not you need to submit plans, an inspection is mandatory. Here’s a breakdown of the process:
Plan Review Required:
- Download the plan review packet from the L&I website.
- Complete the necessary applications and include required drawings and information.
- Submit the completed packet and payment to L&I via email, mail, or in person at a local L&I office.
- Await plan review and approval notification from L&I (allow several months for processing).
Inspection Only (No Plan Review Required):
- Complete the Insignia Application for Food Trucks and Concession Trailers That Do Not Require Plans (F623-040-000).
- Include the insignia fee payment of $51.80.
- Submit the application and payment via mail or in person at a local L&I office.
- Await notification from L&I to schedule your inspection.
Preparing for Your Food Truck Trailer Inspection:
Regardless of plan submission requirements, utilize the Vendor/Medical Conversion Units Pre-Inspection Checklist (F622-072-000) to ensure your food truck trailer is ready for inspection. Remember, inspection fees apply even if your unit isn’t ready, and additional fees may be incurred for subsequent inspections.
Contacting L&I for Food Truck Trailer Inquiries
For questions or further assistance regarding food truck trailer regulations and inspections, contact L&I:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 1-800-705-1411 (Option 3)
By understanding and adhering to these regulations, you can ensure your food truck trailer operates legally and safely in Washington State. Remember to check with local jurisdictions for any additional requirements.
