Mountain View vs Santa Clara
How do food truck permits rules compare between Mountain View, CA and Santa Clara, CA?
Mountain View and Santa Clara have similar restriction levels.
Mountain View, CA
Santa Clara County
Food trucks in Mountain View need a Santa Clara County Environmental Health Mobile Food Facility permit plus a city business license. SB 946 limits the city's ability to restrict sidewalk vending locations.
View full Mountain View rules →Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara County
Santa Clara food trucks need SCCDEH mobile food facility permit, city business license, and compliance with SB 946 sidewalk vending protections. Temperature logs required.
View full Santa Clara rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Mountain View | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| Health permit | Santa Clara County EH | - |
| Business license | Required from city | - |
| Commissary rule | Daily return required | - |
| SB 946 scope | Sidewalk vendors protected | - |
| School proximity | 100 ft special auth | - |
| Health Permit | - | Santa Clara County DEH MFF permit |
| Business License | - | Santa Clara city license required |
| Commissary | - | Approved daily return location mandatory |
| Sidewalk Vending | - | SB 946 civil enforcement applies |
| Contact | - | County DEH (408) 918-3400 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Mountain View FAQ
Can a food truck operate in a Mountain View park?
Only with a special event permit or concession agreement from Community Services. Regular food truck service in parks requires city authorization beyond the standard vendor permit.
Does SB 946 cover food trucks?
SB 946 specifically addresses sidewalk vendors (pushcarts, walking vendors) and does not preempt city regulation of mobile food vehicles, which remain subject to local parking and zoning rules.
Santa Clara FAQ
Where do I apply for a food truck permit?
Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health issues the MFF permit; the city issues the business license separately.
Can I vend food from a cart on the sidewalk?
Yes, under SB 946, but you still need a county health permit and must follow time/place restrictions adopted by the city.
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