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

1 county-level rule, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Santa Barbara County, California.

Verified from official government sources

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

Food Truck Permits

Food trucks are exempt from a county planning permit in unincorporated Santa Barbara County, but only when operating as incidental food service tied to an approved agricultural enterprise on AG-II zoned land, under LUDC Section 35.42.035.D.4. A stand-alone food truck with no agricultural tie-in, or one operating outside AG-II land, is not covered by this exemption.

Santa Barbara County Food Trucks on Ag Land

Light Restrictions

Santa Barbara County LUDC § 35.42.035.D.4.b(1)

b.Permit Requirements. (1)Exempt. The following types of incidental food service may be exempt from the requirements to obtain a permit in compliance with Section 35.20.040 (Exemptions from Planning Permit Requirements) provided the use does not include new structures or additions to existing structures and complies with Subsection D.4.c. (Specific use standards and use limitations for inciden...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors by City in Santa Barbara County

1 cities in Santa Barbara County have their own food trucks & mobile vendors rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

Santa MariaPop. 112,076

2 verified rules • Sidewalk & Mobile Vending, Vending Zones

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