Santa Clara vs Sunnyvale
How do food truck permits rules compare between Santa Clara, CA and Sunnyvale, CA?
Santa Clara and Sunnyvale have similar restriction levels.
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 →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 | Santa Clara | Sunnyvale |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | - |
| County health permit | - | Santa Clara County DEH |
| Business license | - | City-issued |
| Zoning basis | - | SMC Title 5 + Title 19 |
| Sidewalk vending | - | Governed by SB 946 |
| Special events | - | Require separate permit |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
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.
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.
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