FOOD ORDINANCE, GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS :: ICE CREAM PUSH CART REQUIREMENTS

A mobile push cart is a mobile food unit that operates from a hand-pushed cart and sells only prepackaged, single-portion, ice cream or frozen confections while moving from place to place. In order to operate a mobile push cart within the City of Arlington, the following requirements must be met:

Push carts must have a permitted commissary as a base of operations. This commissary is to provide storage for the pushcarts and food products; as well as sinks or other equipment for cleaning the carts. If the commissary is not under the same ownership as the push cart, then a commissary approval form must be secured, completely filled out, signed and notarized by the commissary owner. This form must include services that the commissary is providing. The notarized commissary approval form will be filed with the application for a Mobile Food Establishment Permit and must be provided at the time of yearly renewal. All commissaries must be pre-approved prior to permitting

1. Carts must be constructed of smooth, easily cleanable materials such as stainless steel, fiberglass reinforced plastic panels or other approved water-resistant materials. The bottom of the push cart must be at least 6 inches from the ground.

2. The firm name, address, phone number in 2" letters and the City of Arlington Mobile Food Permit decal must be displayed on the cart in view of the public.

1. All foods that are to be sold must be stated on the application. Only foods approved by the Administrator may be sold. Absolutely no food preparation is allowed.
2. Food temperature requirements for cold holding must be met.
3. All foods must be obtained from approved sources and be properly labeled.
4. All foods must be properly stored on the push cart or approved commissary location.
5. At the end of the day, the cart must return to the approved commissary for storage.
6. Unless otherwise approved, the City of Arlington Zoning Ordinance prohibits a mobile push cart from vending from a single location.
7. All vending must cease at dusk unless otherwise approved by the administrator.

The owner must obtain a Mobile Food Permit and comply with all requirements of the Health, Fire and Zoning Ordinances. Push carts are inspected at the Community Services Department located at 101 S. Mesquite St., Suite 720, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. A permit will be issued upon completion of the application, payment of annual permit fee of $225.00, and approval of the construction and sanitation of the unit. All permits expire on December 31st of each year and are non-transferable. All push carts must be inspected and permitted prior to expiration each year. Push carts that sell only pre-packaged, non-potentially hazardous foods; or whole fruits and vegetables are not required to obtain a permit. Contact the Health Code Examiner at 817-459-6769 for more information or to schedule an appointment for an inspection. No inspection will be conducted without all required paperwork.

Rev. 3/06

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