Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Costa Mesa, CA (2026)
2 verified food trucks & mobile vendors rules for Costa Mesa, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Food Truck Permits
Food trucks operating in Costa Mesa must obtain a city business license and comply with Orange County Health Care Agency permitting for mobile food facilities. Trucks must have a valid OC Health permit, California seller's permit, and appropriate vehicle registration. Operation on private property requires the property owner's written consent and compliance with parking and zoning standards. Special event food vending at the OC Fairgrounds and city events requires separate event permits.
Costa Mesa Food Truck Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsCal. Health & Safety Code Ch. 11.7 § 114368 et seq. (SB 972, 2022)
This bill would authorize a cottage food operation or microenterprise home kitchen operation to serve as a commissary or mobile support unit for up to 2 compact mobile food operations if the cottage food operation or microenterprise home kitchen operation permit includes an endorsement from the local enforcement agency that the cottage food operation or microenterprise home kitchen operation is...
Vending Zones
Costa Mesa regulates where food trucks and mobile vendors may operate through zoning and right-of-way regulations. Food trucks are generally permitted on private commercial property with owner consent but face restrictions near schools, residential zones, and established restaurants. The city does not maintain formally designated food truck zones but allows operations in commercial and industrial areas subject to parking and nuisance standards.
Costa Mesa Food Truck Vending Locations
Some RestrictionsCal. Gov. Code § 51036 et seq. (SB 946, Safe Sidewalk Vending Act)
This bill would prohibit a local authority, as defined, from regulating sidewalk vendors, except in accordance with the provisions of the bill. The bill would provide that a local authority is not required to adopt a new program to regulate sidewalk vendors if the local authority has established an existing program that substantially complies with the provisions of the bill. The bill would appl...
Looking for Orange County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Costa Mesa city rules.
Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Orange County →