Food Truck Guidelines _ Arapahoe Crossing

FOOD TRUCK TOOLKIT – AURORA

Non-Compete – Food Trucks can not compete with restaurants that are on Arapahoe Crossing Property.

The following restaurants are currently located on the Arapahoe Crossing property:

  • Taco Bell
  • Village Inn
  • McDonalds
  • Tasty Pot
  • Chili’s
  • Old Chicago
  • Fuzzy’s Tacos
  • Dunkin

Contact Information:

Aurora-South Metro Small Business Development Center

303.326.8686

Aurora Planning & Zoning Information

303.739.7000

Contact your local county health department:

Regulatory Requirements

Make sure that your mobile food vending business complies with the necessary requirements in Aurora and other jurisdictions.

City Business License: Mobile food vendors are required to have a city of Aurora business license. This license includes Aurora sales tax collection as applicable for food.

Fire Department Requirements: If you are cooking or reheating food in your truck, you will likely need a fire inspection. The city will recognize the Fire Marshall Association of Colorado (FMAC) certificates from other jurisdictions. You will need a hood suppression system installed and inspected by a third party prior to a fire inspection. Visit the fire department's Food Truck/Trailer Information page to learn the requirements.

County Health Department: Vendors also will need a mobile retail food service license issued through the local county health department, which authorizes sales to take place in Aurora. A Mobile Food Vendor that has never been licensed by the health department must follow the appropriate county's guidelines.

Using a Commissary Kitchen: For mobile food trucks operating in Aurora, the food vendor will need to have formal connection to a commissary kitchen. This facility is a fixed, licensed food establishment where vendors assemble and store food as well as clean and sanitize equipment. Possible locations include community kitchens, church kitchens or restaurant kitchens during off-hours. All mobile food equipment will need a written agreement with a certified commissary kitchen to receive a health permit from the county health department.

State Sales Tax License: Mobile food vendors will need a Colorado Sales Tax License. The state’s Department of Revenue has a useful FYI guide to understand taxing food.

Additional City of Aurora Requirements

See the City’s Uniform Development Code (UDO) 146-3.3.6(K) for complete details.

  • Mobile food vendors cannot operate in a residential zone district (R zone) or within 50 feet of the property line of a single-family home.

  • The 50-foot setback from the property line of a single-family home does not apply if the food truck is serving patrons of a brick-and-mortar business and is not using any equipment that would violate noise restrictions for the neighboring residential.

  • Mobile food vendors cannot operate within 175 feet of an open brick-and-mortar restaurant unless the restaurant or the restaurant's property owner gives written permission.

  • Mobile food vendors cannot operate on city-owned property unless they have a temporary use permit or vendor agreement.

  • If smoking food, you may wish to park adjacent to the commissary kitchen with which you are working.

  • To operate on a city street or highway you need to be legally parked. No mobile food service can block, obstruct or interfere with vehicular traffic.

  • Some forms of food preparation may be prepared from home. Check your county's health department for details. See also the Colorado Agriculture Division of Markets for many helpful links related to food processing and marketing opportunities.

  • Normal hours of operation are designated between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.

  • The Aurora business and health department licenses will be displayed at all times while vending and produced upon request.

  • Mobile food vendors are not allowed to set out seating and tables for customers, add fixed infrastructure or use amplified sound.

  • Trash removal is important. Mobile food vendors must keep business sites clean and free of litter.

Obtain Auto Insurance

  • Generally, liability insurance for the business must satisfy a $1 million coverage minimum.

  • The insurance company may require that you take a food safety course for the liability. Enrolling in a food safety course will also greatly help with filling out the application for a Retail Food Establishment License.

Licensing

A retail food license from the health department is required annually for mobile food trucks, trailers, and pushcarts. A retail food license always expires on December 31 regardless of when the license was issued and must be renewed each year if you are operating. If you operate without a retail food establishment license, you may be subject to fines.

Before a mobile truck, trailer or pushcart can be licensed to sell food and inspected, you must:

  • Be sure the unit has been identified with the trade name and telephone number of the owner/operator on two sides of the unit. You must do this before driving the mobile truck or transporting the trailer. The name should be at least three inches high with at least 3/8” brush strokes. The color of the letters or numerals needs to be a contrasting color to that of the unit’s exterior paint.

  • Ensure that you have the following:

    • Food probe thermometer capable of reading between 0°F–220°F

    • Refrigerator/hot box thermometer

    • Hot and cold running water in all sinks

    • Sanitizer test strips (chlorine or quaternary ammonium)

    • Hand soap and disposable paper towels

  • Make sure all of the following are operational before inspection (if applicable):

    • Refrigeration units and steam tables (if your vehicle has that type of equipment).

    • Cold temperatures kept at 41ºF or below and hot temperatures kept at 135ºF or above.

    • Filled potable water reservoir

    • Available hot water at the hand sink and three compartment sink (if available).

  • Bring copies of the following:

    • Colorado State Sales Tax license certificate

    • Written copy of your menu

Completed Retail Food Affidavit of Commissary Kitchen (Spanish)

Mobile Renewal Information

  • A mobile food license always expires on December 31st, and you must renew this license annually if you will be operating in the new year.

  1. Submit a Renewal Application

    1. Complete online License Renewal application (preferred option!) OR

    2. Fill out and submit the Mobile Renewal Packet - English OR complete Mobile Renewal Packet - Spanish

  2. Schedule and pass mobile inspection

  3. Pay renewal Fee

    1. Bring a credit card, cash, check, or money order made out to Arapahoe County Public Health for the Mobile License Renewal Fee ($270 or $385)

More information is available in the Renewal Letter - English and Renewal Letter - Spanish

Mobile Inspection Checklist

  • Original State Sales Tax License (Colorado Department of Revenue, 1375 Sherman Street, Denver, CO 80261- (303) 238-7378 or Colorado Department of Revenue website)

  • Retail Food Affidavit of Commissary Kitchen (Spanish) (commissary must be located within Arapahoe County)

  • Lettering 3-inches high and 3/8-inch wide with the name and phone number on two sides

  • Food probe thermometer capable of reading between 0°F–220°F

  • Refrigerator/hot box thermometer

  • Hot and cold running water in all sinks

  • Written menu

  • Sanitizer test strips (chlorine or quaternary ammonium)

  • Hand soap and disposable paper towels