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Tuolumne County, CA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Health Permit
Environmental Health
Business License
Required
State Law
SB 972: reciprocity
Contact
EH: 209-533-5633

Summary

Food trucks and mobile food vendors in Tuolumne County require a permit from the Environmental Health Division and a county business license. SB 972 (2018) streamlines mobile food vendor permitting statewide.

City-specific rules exist: Sonora has its own food truck permits rules that differ from Tuolumne County's county-level regulations. If you live in Sonora, check the city-specific page instead.

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 food facilities” means at least one, but not more than four, unenclosed mobile food facilities, and their auxiliary units, that operate adjacent to each other at a single location. (c) “Compact mobile food operation” means a mobile food facility that operates from an individual or from a pushcart, stand, display, pedal-driven cart, wagon, showcase, rack, or other nonmotorized conveyance. SEC. 3.

Source: Tuolumne County Code ComplianceView official code

Full Breakdown

Mobile food facilities operating in unincorporated Tuolumne County must obtain a Mobile Food Facility Permit from the Tuolumne County Environmental Health Division, which inspects for food safety compliance. California SB 972 (2018) standardizes mobile food vendor permitting statewide, preventing counties from requiring redundant health inspections if the vendor has a valid permit from another jurisdiction. Food trucks also need a county business license. Zoning regulations under Title 17 may restrict where food trucks can operate on a regular basis: temporary or event-based operation is generally more permissive than establishing a permanent food truck location.

Violations & Fines

Operating without health permit: Environmental Health enforcement. Operating without business license: county enforcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What permits do I need for a food truck in Tuolumne County?
A Mobile Food Facility Permit from Environmental Health and a county business license. SB 972 provides permit reciprocity if you have a valid permit from another jurisdiction.
Can food trucks park anywhere?
Zoning regulations may restrict permanent food truck locations. Event-based and temporary operations are generally more permissive.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Tuolumne County

All Tuolumne County rules

California rules heatmap·Compare Tuolumne County to another location·View the California food trucks & mobile vendors overview

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