How Fontana Handles Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: A Practical Guide

Fontana maintains 125 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with food trucks & mobile vendors. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Fontana falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Vending Zones

Fontana FMC Title 17 controls food-truck locations. Commercial and industrial zones allow trucks on private property with owner permission. Residential zones restrict mobile vending to brief roving stops.

Key details: Allowed Zones: Commercial and industrial. Residential: Roving only, not stationary. Permission: Written from property owner. Large Events: Temporary Use Permit. Sidewalk Vendors: Separate SB 946 track.

Operating in a prohibited zone or without zoning clearance can trigger Code Enforcement citations and removal from the site. Property owners hosting unpermitted vendors can also be cited under FMC Title 1.

Food Truck Permits

Fontana food trucks need a San Bernardino County Mobile Food Facility permit and a city business license. FMC Title 17 zoning restricts where trucks may operate and for how long.

Key details: County Permit: SB County Environmental Health MFF. State Law: California Retail Food Code. City License: Fontana business tax certificate. Zoning: FMC Title 17 limits. Commissary: Required.

Operating without a county MFF permit is a misdemeanor under the California Retail Food Code with fines up to $1,000 and potential closure. City zoning violations generate FMC Title 1 administrative citations and possible tow.

The Bottom Line

Fontana'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 Fontana is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Fontana's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.