Tustin teen says Orange County Health reclassified her lemonade trailer, raising permit costs

Addison Ozils, an 18-year-old Foothill High School senior and small-business owner, told the Orange County Board of Supervisors she bought and refurbished a horse trailer after county health staff told her it could operate as a temporary food facility (TFF) booth, but two weeks ago OC Health reclassified her operation and "took away" the ability to serve lemonade with fresh fruit.

Ozils said county staff first told her she could operate as a booth; after she invested in the trailer and began selling, OC Health staff changed the classification and would not grant an annual permit without a commissary. Ozils said an annual permit was quoted at "$600 and dollar $610" and that single-event fees quoted to her added to $828 for a two-week period; she said the cost was prohibitive and inconsistent with what other TFF booths are allowed to do.

"I feel like OC health department is a fee driven and full of contradictions," Ozils told the board. She said the commissary requirement would cost an additional $828 upfront plus about $200 a month and that requiring that while denying an annual permit undermined her business on the cusp of college.

After her remarks, a board member asked the CEO to inquire into the matter and Supervisor Sarmiento said it was his district and asked staff to look into the complaint.

County staff at the meeting did not provide an explanation for the reclassification, did not name the specific code or permit type applied to Ozils' trailer, and did not state whether the commissary requirement is a fixed county policy or a site-specific determination. Ozils requested help resolving the permitting and fee questions so she could continue her small business activities.