Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors, San Bernardino

San Bernardino maintains 124 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with food trucks & mobile vendors. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where San Bernardino falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Food Truck Permits

Anyone running a motorized mobile food business in San Bernardino, including ice cream trucks, must get a peddling permit from the City Clerk before selling on any street or door to door. Municipal Code Chapter 5.19 covers this motorized activity separately from the non-motorized sidewalk vending permit in Chapter 5.30.

Key details: Permit issuer: City Clerk. Permit term: One year. Background check: Police Dept., 45 days. Fee: Set by Council resolution. County requirement: Food permit if required.

Violating Chapter 5.19, including peddling food without a permit or failing to display one, is a misdemeanor under § 5.19.090, punishable under the citywide general penalty at § 1.12.010 by up to six months in county jail, a fine up to $1,000, or both; § 1.12.020 makes each day of continued violation a separate offense. A denied applicant may appeal under §§ 5.82.100 through 5.82.150.

Sidewalk & Mobile Vending

Non-motorized sidewalk food and merchandise vendors in San Bernardino, including cart and pushcart operators, must get an annual sidewalk vending permit from the Business Registration Division before setting up on any public sidewalk or path. Chapter 5.30 sets the application, fee, term and denial grounds.

Key details: Permit issuer: Business Registration Division. Permit term: One year, annual renewal. Insurance: $1,000,000 general liability. Accessible path: 36 inches minimum. First violation fine: Up to $100 (up to $250 if unpermitted).

Vending without a permit, or violating a permit condition, is unlawful under § 5.30.120(A), punishable by an administrative fine up to $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second within a year, and $500 for each further violation; vending specifically without a sidewalk vending permit may instead draw a fine up to $250 for a first violation and $500 for a second. Under § 5.30.090, the Director may suspend or rescind a permit after four or more violations for fraud, misrepresentation or creating a public nuisance, and a revoked vendor cannot reapply for two years.

Vending Zones

San Bernardino bans stationary sidewalk vending in residential zones citywide, allowing it only in non-residential and mixed-use zones under Municipal Code § 5.30.060, with added restrictions near parks, farmers markets and swap meets under § 5.30.070. Roaming vendors face separate hour and location limits.

Key details: Stationary in residential zones: Prohibited citywide. Stationary allowed: Non-residential/mixed-use zones. Non-residential vending hours: 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.. Roaming vending hours: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.. Buffer distance: 10 ft from hydrants, bus stops, ramps.

Vending in a prohibited zone, such as stationary vending in a residential district, violates § 5.30.060(A) and is punishable under § 5.30.120(A) by an administrative fine up to $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second within a year, and $500 for each additional violation within that year.

The Bottom Line

San Bernardino'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 San Bernardino is broadly strict or permissive.

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