Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Alameda County, CA (2026)

3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 6 cities in Alameda County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Alameda County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Food Truck Permits

Mobile food facilities operating in unincorporated Alameda County need a health permit from the county's Department of Environmental Health before serving the public.

Food Truck Permits in Alameda County

Some Restrictions

Alameda County Code § 6.68.090

A. To operate a mobile food facility in the County of Alameda a permit issued by ACDEH is required. B. Mobile food facilities must complete a full application and full inspection. ... These conditions may require that the mobile food facility install and maintain equipment to identify its location for the purpose of unscheduled inspections, such as the installation of a global positioning syste...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Vending Zones

Unincorporated Alameda County can bar sidewalk food and merchandise carts from vending near a permitted farmers' market, swap meet, or special-event area under regulations adopted for Chapter 3.36.

Sidewalk Food Vending Zone Limits in Alameda County

Significant Restrictions

Alameda County Code § 3.36.030(A)

the board of supervisors delegates authority to the community develop agency director (CDA Director) or their designee to, after a noticed public hearing, adopt such rules and regulations as necessary to implement, administer, and enforce this chapter, including the authority to prohibit sidewalk vendors within the immediate vicinity of a permitted certified farmers' market or a permitted swap ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Sidewalk & Mobile Vending

Anyone selling food or merchandise from a pushcart, stand, or similar unit on a sidewalk in unincorporated Alameda County must first get and display a sidewalk vendor permit from the county.

Sidewalk Vendor Permit in Alameda County

Significant Restrictions

Alameda County Code § 3.36.040(A)

No person may perform any sidewalk vending activities in the unincorporated areas of Alameda County, including on a public right-of-way or any other street, sidewalk, alley, walkway, or pedestrian path available to the public, without first having obtained a sidewalk vendor permit issued pursuant to this chapter.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗