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

3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 21 cities in Los Angeles County, California.

Verified from official government sources

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

Food Truck Permits

Food trucks in unincorporated LA County need a county business license, LA County Dept of Public Health mobile food facility permit, and CA seller's permit. Catering trucks cannot sound music/chimes within 200 ft of residences between 9 PM and 7 AM. All food handlers need certified food handler cards.

Los Angeles County Food Truck Permit Requirements

Some Restrictions

California SB 972 (2021–2022) — California Retail Food Code: Compact Mobile Food Operations

This bill would authorize a cottage food operation or microenterprise home kitchen operation to serve as a commissary or mobile support unit for up to 2 compact mobile food operations if the cottage food operation or microenterprise home kitchen operation permit includes an endorsement from the local enforcement agency that the cottage food operation or microenterprise home kitchen operation is...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Vending Zones

Food truck vending in unincorporated LA County is subject to Title 22 zoning and health department regulations. California SB 946 protects sidewalk vendor rights. Trucks cannot block driveways, fire hydrants, or pedestrian access. Specific vending zones may be designated by DRP.

Los Angeles County Food Truck Vending Zone Rules

Light Restrictions

California SB 946 (2017–2018) — Sidewalk Vendors (Government Code Sec. 51036 et seq.)

This bill would prohibit a local authority, as defined, from regulating sidewalk vendors, except in accordance with the provisions of the bill. ... The bill would require a local authority that elects to adopt a sidewalk vending program to, among other things, not require a sidewalk vendor to operate within specific parts of the public right-of-way, except when that restriction is directly rela...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Sidewalk & Mobile Vending

Unincorporated Los Angeles County requires a $604 annual Sidewalk Vending Registration Certificate under County Code § 8.42.050 before anyone may push a food cart onto a public sidewalk, and § 8.42.070.Y caps operating hours at 6 a.m. to midnight in commercial areas and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for roaming vendors on residential streets. Motorized food trucks are excluded from this chapter and licensed separately.

LA County Sidewalk Food Cart Vending Rules

Significant Restrictions

Los Angeles County Code §§ 8.42.050, 8.42.070

A.No Person, either for themselves or any other Person, will conduct or engage in Sidewalk Vendor activity within the Unincorporated Area without possessing a Sidewalk Vending Registration Certificate issued to them pursuant to this Chapter, in addition to possessing any other required licenses, registrations, or permits pursuant to this Chapter, the County Code, State law, and other local laws...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗