Mountain View vs Sunnyvale
How do food truck permits rules compare between Mountain View, CA and Sunnyvale, CA?
Mountain View and Sunnyvale 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 →Sunnyvale, CA
Santa Clara County
Food trucks in Sunnyvale need a Santa Clara County health permit, a business license, and must comply with SMC Title 5 and SB 946 vending rules on sidewalks.
View full Sunnyvale rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Mountain View | Sunnyvale |
|---|---|---|
| Health permit | Santa Clara County EH | - |
| Business license | Required from city | City-issued |
| Commissary rule | Daily return required | - |
| SB 946 scope | Sidewalk vendors protected | - |
| School proximity | 100 ft special auth | - |
| County health permit | - | Santa Clara County DEH |
| Zoning basis | - | SMC Title 5 + Title 19 |
| Sidewalk vending | - | Governed by SB 946 |
| Special events | - | Require separate permit |
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.
Sunnyvale FAQ
Can I park my food truck on any street?
No. Trucks must operate on private property with consent or in permitted event locations, and comply with parking rules.
What about a cart on the sidewalk?
Sidewalk vending falls under SB 946 and requires a sidewalk vendor permit; health and ADA rules still apply.
Compare other topics
See how Mountain View and Sunnyvale compare on other ordinance categories.
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