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

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 8 cities in San Diego County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of San Diego 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 in unincorporated San Diego County must obtain a Public Health Permit from the County Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ) under County Code Title 6, Division 1. All facilities must operate from an approved commissary.

San Diego County Food Truck Permits

Some Restrictions

California SB 972 (2022, Gonzalez) — Compact Mobile Food Operations; amendments to California Retail Food Code (Health & Safety Code §§ 113831, 114368)

and Safety Code is amended to read: 113831. (a) “Mobile food facility” means any vehicle used in conjunction with a commissary or other permanent food facility upon which food is sold or distributed at retail. “Mobile food facility” does not include a “transporter” used to transport packaged food from a food facility, or other approved source to the consumer. (b) “Single operating site mobile f...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Vending Zones

Food truck vending locations in unincorporated San Diego County are subject to zoning restrictions and property owner consent. Mobile food vehicles may operate on private property with owner permission. Public right-of-way vending may require additional approvals.

San Diego County Food Truck Vending Locations

Light Restrictions

California SB 946 (2018, Lara) — Safe Sidewalk Vending Act (Gov. Code §§ 51036–51039)

ment Code, to read: CHAPTER 6.2. Sidewalk Vendors 51036. For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply: (a) “Sidewalk vendor” means a person who sells food or merchandise from a pushcart, stand, display, pedal-driven cart, wagon, showcase, rack, or other nonmotorized conveyance, or from one’s person, upon a public sidewalk or other pedestrian path. (b) “Roaming sidewalk vendor” ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗