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Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Novato, CA (2026)

3 verified food trucks & mobile vendors rules for Novato, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Food Truck Permits

In the City of Novato, California, every mobile food vending vehicle needs its own commercial solicitation permit from the chief of police under Municipal Code section 14-8 before anyone owns, drives, operates or vends from it. The permit is in addition to any state, Marin County or other city license the business holds.

Novato Mobile Food Vending Vehicle Permits

Significant Restrictions

Novato Municipal Code § 18-15.4

18-15.4 Permits Required. a.No person shall own, control, manage, lease, or contract with other persons for the operation of a mobile food vending vehicle in the city without having been issued a valid and unexpired commercial solicitation permit under section 14-8 of this code, in addition to any other license or permit required under any other chapter of this code, or other provisions of law ...

Vending Zones

In the City of Novato, a mobile food vending vehicle cannot vend from a public street with a posted speed limit above 35 miles per hour, within 1,500 feet of a school on school days from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., between 9:00 p.m. and 7:30 a.m., or within 75 feet of an intersection. Vending on private property needs the owner's written consent.

Novato Mobile Food Vending Locations and Hours

Significant Restrictions

Novato Municipal Code § 18-15.7

18-15.7 Prohibited Conduct. a.No person shall vend from a mobile food vending vehicle which is stopped, parked or standing on any public street, alley or highway:1.When the posted speed limit on the public street, alley or highway is greater than 35 miles per hour;2.When the prospective customer is located in that portion of the street, alley or highway which is open to vehicular traffic;3.When...

Sidewalk & Mobile Vending

In the City of Novato, only a sidewalk vendor holding a city sidewalk vending permit can stop or stand in a public right-of-way. The permit lasts one calendar year and cannot be transferred, and it comes with limits on 48-inch clearance, school distance, vendor spacing, slope, and operating hours from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Novato Sidewalk Vending Rules

Significant Restrictions

Novato Municipal Code § 18-17.4

18-17.4 General Regulations. a.To maintain accessibility standards for the city's disabled residents, every sidewalk vendor must ensure that no obstruction is placed that would reduce the width of the public right-of-way to less than 48 inches, exclusive of the top of the curb. ... f.To reduce the exposure to children of unhealthy foods, every sidewalk vendor vending foods with added sugar cann...

Looking for Marin County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Novato city rules.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Marin County →