Cart & Stand Rules: Berkeley vs San Leandro
How do cart & stand rules rules compare between Berkeley, CA and San Leandro, CA?
Berkeley and San Leandro have similar restriction levels.
Berkeley, CA
Alameda County
Berkeley sidewalk vending carts and stands are regulated under BMC Chapters 9.48 (arts and crafts) and 9.49 (food), as conformed to California SB 946. Carts must fit within the vendor's allocated site, must not obstruct the pedestrian right-of-way, and food carts must additionally hold Alameda County Environmental Health approval.
View full Berkeley rules →San Leandro, CA
Alameda County
Sidewalk vending carts in San Leandro must comply with Alameda County Environmental Health's Mobile Food Facility requirements (California Retail Food Code Sections 114294-114297). Carts must be NSF-certified, have potable water and waste tanks, and be cleaned and stored at an approved commissary nightly.
View full San Leandro rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Berkeley | San Leandro |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment Codes | BMC 9.48, 9.49, 14.48.170 | - |
| Food Health Permit | Alameda County Environmental Health required | - |
| Overnight Storage | Not allowed on sidewalk | - |
| Fire Equipment | Berkeley Fire Code (BMC Title 19) | - |
| Citation Schedule | $100 / $200 / $500 per SB 946 | - |
| State Law | - | Cal. Retail Food Code 114294-114297 |
| Water Tanks | - | 5 gal potable, 7.5 gal waste minimum |
| Commissary | - | Required nightly cleaning/storage |
| Propane Limit | - | 5 lb aggregate without fire permit |
| Cart Width | - | 4 ft max on sidewalk |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Berkeley FAQ
Can I leave my vending cart on the sidewalk overnight?
No. Berkeley requires carts and equipment to be removed from the public right-of-way at the end of each vending day. Overnight storage on the sidewalk is not allowed.
Do food carts need a separate health permit?
Yes. In addition to the Berkeley BMC 9.49 sidewalk vending permit, food carts must hold a current mobile food facility permit from Alameda County Environmental Health under the California Retail Food Code.
Are propane and generators allowed?
Only as permitted by the California Fire Code adopted under BMC Title 19. Berkeley Fire Department inspects propane tanks and generators used in vending and may prohibit certain equipment in high-traffic pedestrian zones.
San Leandro FAQ
Do I need a commissary for my San Leandro food cart?
Yes — California Retail Food Code 114295 requires all mobile food carts to return to a permitted commissary for cleaning, supply restocking, and overnight storage. San Leandro vendors typically use commissaries in Hayward, Oakland, or Union City.
What size propane tank can I use on a San Leandro food cart?
Up to 5 pounds total propane without a fire permit. Larger tanks require an Alameda County Fire Department fire-prevention permit and additional setback from combustibles.
Compare other topics
See how Berkeley and San Leandro compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool