Camarillo's Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles food trucks & mobile vendors a little differently. In Camarillo, California, there are 3 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Food Truck Permits

Every food truck operating in Camarillo, whether owned or leased, must carry a health permit issued through the Ventura County director of environmental health under Section 9.20.070 of the municipal code, renewed annually, before selling food anywhere in the city.

Key details: Permit required for: Food, frozen food, and mobile prep vehicles. Citation: Camarillo Municipal Code § 9.20.070. Issuing authority: Ventura County director of environmental health. Permit term: 12 months, renewable annually. Fee basis: Set by Ventura County Board of Supervisors (§ 9.20.300).

Operating a covered food vehicle in Camarillo without the required health permit exposes the operator to permit denial or suspension under Sections 9.20.220 through 9.20.240, and continuing operation with a suspended or revoked permit is separately addressed under Section 9.20.250. A permittee may appeal a suspension or revocation to the director within fifteen days of notice under Section 9.20.240, but failing to request that hearing in time waives the right to it, and general code violations otherwise carry infraction penalties under Chapter 1.12.

Vending Zones

Camarillo requires a city vending license and cart permit before any sidewalk food cart operates, and Sec. 5.42.090 bans carts from crosswalks, fire hydrants, bus zones, driveways and outdoor dining areas. Stationary carts are barred from residential zones entirely; only roaming carts may vend there, moving continuously.

Key details: License required: Sidewalk vending license + cart permit. Crosswalk/hydrant buffer: 5 feet minimum. Event buffer: 300 feet, 1 hour before/after. Cart size cap: 72"L x 54"W x 78"H. First fine (no license): $250 administrative citation.

Vending without a valid license or cart permit draws an administrative fine of $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second within a year, and $1,000 for a third or later offense under Sec. 5.42.110. Other chapter violations start at $100 and escalate to $500 plus permit revocation on a fourth offense. Fines are administrative, not criminal, and appealable through the Chapter 1.13 hearing process; the city can also seize and dispose of an abandoned or non-compliant cart under Sec. 5.42.120 if unclaimed after thirty days.

Sidewalk & Mobile Vending

No one may sell food or merchandise from a sidewalk cart in Camarillo without a city vending license, and every cart needs its own separate cart permit under Municipal Code Section 5.42.040. Stationary carts are barred from residential zones and require $500,000 in liability coverage.

Key details: License required: Every vendor, Sec. 5.42.040. Cart permit: Separate permit per cart, Sec. 5.42.050. Liability insurance: $500,000 minimum. Max cart size: 72in L x 54in W x 78in H. Residential zones: Stationary carts prohibited.

Vending without a valid license or cart permit draws an administrative fine of $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second within a year, and $1,000 for a third or later offense, though proof of a valid permit before the fine is due cuts those amounts to $100, $200 and $500 (Section 5.42.110(A)). Other violations, like blocking a crosswalk or vending in a residential zone, carry escalating fines from $100 to $500, and repeated fourth violations also revoke the license or permit.

The Bottom Line

Camarillo's food trucks & mobile vendors rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Camarillo is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Camarillo can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.