Chino, CA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Covers
- Retail sales from vehicle/truck/trailer
- Reviewer
- City special permit committee
- Distinct from
- Sidewalk vendor permit (§5.28, non-motorized)
- Also required
- Standard city business license
- Revocable
- For code or permit-condition violations
Summary
Chino requires a discretionary special business permit, reviewed by a city special permit committee, for any food truck or other retail sales made from a vehicle, truck or trailer within city limits.
B.The following businesses require a special business permit:1.Circus, carnival, tent show or open-air show;2.Swap meet, flea market, or sale of used merchandise (except used car lots);3.Adult-oriented business as defined in Section 5.05.020(A) of this code;4.Solicitor;5.Curb address painting;6.Advertising by distribution of samples or handbills;7.Any business in which any product or commodity is sold at retail from a motor vehicle, truck or trailer, or any business in which any product or commodity is sold at retail from any place except a fixed place of business in the city on which general real property and ad valorem taxes are levied and collected;8.Taxicabs and automobiles-for-hire as defined in Section 5.32.010 of this code;9.Request for live entertainment at a business location as defined in Section 5.20.010 of this code;10.Internet cafes;11.Massage establishments as defined in Section 5.24.020 of this code;12.Sidewalk vendors as defined in Section 5.28.010 of this code. (Ord. 2007-02 § 1, 2007; Ord. 2003-21 § 1 (part), 2003; Ord. 87-15 § 6 (part), 1987: Ord. 87-10 § 24, 1987: Ord. 87-9 § 6 (part), 1987.)
(Ord. 2011-01, § 1, 2011; Ord. 2017-008, § 2, 2017; Ord. 2020-002, § 4, 2020.)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 38).
Full Breakdown
Municipal Code § 5.04.380(B)(7) requires a special business permit for any business selling retail goods or commodities from a motor vehicle, truck or trailer, or from any place other than a fixed, tax-assessed place of business, which covers food trucks. This is on top of a standard business license. The application goes to the director of finance (§ 5.04.400) and is referred to the special permit committee (development services, public works, police and administration) to investigate the operator's location, land-use fit and background (§ 5.04.430) before the permit issues or is denied (§ 5.04.450). Notably, Chino's sidewalk vendor chapter expressly does not apply to motorized vendors: § 5.28.020(C) exempts 'persons selling goods, wares, merchandise, or food from a motorized vehicle, including food trucks' from Chapter 5.28, so food trucks are governed by the special business permit chapter, not the sidewalk-vendor ordinance.
Violations & Fines
Operating a food truck without a special business permit violates § 5.04.380(A). The special permit committee may revoke or suspend the permit for violating city law or code conditions, following a hearing, under § 5.04.510; the permit must be posted or carried and shown on request under § 5.04.480.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Chino's sidewalk vendor ordinance cover food trucks?
Who reviews a Chino food truck's special business permit application?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chino
California rules heatmap·Compare Chino to another location·View the California food trucks & mobile vendors overview
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How other cities in San Bernardino County handle food truck permits.