Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Santa Monica, CA (2026)
2 verified food trucks & mobile vendors rules for Santa Monica, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Food Truck Permits
Food trucks in Santa Monica are regulated as vehicle vendors under SMMC Ch. 6.36. A city business license and LA County Health Permit are required. Sidewalk vending requires a separate permit under the city's vending program.
Santa Monica Food Truck Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsCalifornia SB 972 (2022) - California Retail Food Code Chapter 11.7 (Compact Mobile Food Operations / Sidewalk Food Vendor Permits)
SB 972, Gonzalez. California Retail Food Code. Existing law, the California Retail Food Code, establishes uniform health and sanitation standards for, and provides for regulation by the State Department of Public Health of, retail food facilities and requires local health agencies to enforce these provisions. This bill would authorize a cottage food operation or microenterprise home kitchen ope...
Vending Zones
Vending in Santa Monica is restricted in high-traffic areas. All vending is prohibited on the Santa Monica Pier except the existing licensed cart program. Sidewalk vendors need a business license and vending permit. Safety setbacks enforced.
Santa Monica Food Truck Vending Zone Rules
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia SB 946 (2018) - Government Code Section 51038 (Sidewalk Vendors - Vending Zone Restrictions)
51038. (a) A local authority may adopt a program to regulate sidewalk vendors in compliance with this section. (b) A local authority's sidewalk vending program shall comply with all of the following standards: (1) A local authority shall not require a sidewalk vendor to operate within specific parts of the public right-of-way, except when that restriction is directly related to objective health...
Looking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Monica city rules.
Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Los Angeles County →