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

Highland Municipal Code § 16.44.290 sets the permit rules for food trucks in the City of Highland. Its stated purpose is to require that food truck events provide the community and customers with a minimum level of cleanliness, quality and security. Subsection B says the operator of a food truck or food truck event organizer shall be required to obtain a special event permit as provided in HMC § 16.08.130.

Special event permit. Under § 16.08.130, approval authority is vested in the community development director, who weighs four criteria: the operation will not jeopardize public health, safety or welfare; the site is adequate in size and shape; the streets serving the site can accommodate the traffic; and adequate temporary parking is available. Table 16.08.130.A lists food truck events in all nonresidential districts with a maximum of 18 days and 6 occurrences per calendar year, subject to the criteria of § 16.44.290. The director can attach conditions such as regulation of operating hours and days, provision of solid waste collection and disposal, a performance bond or other surety device, and a site plan.

Licenses and proof. The operator must obtain a city of Highland business license and pay all applicable fees. The operator must also be fully licensed with the county of San Bernardino division of environmental health services, and proof of that license, including the truck's current food letter grade, must be submitted with the special event permit application. The business license, the county DEHS health permit and the associated food grades must be displayed in plain view at all times.

Operating conditions tied to the permit. Food truck operations cannot be conducted before 7:00 a.m. or after 10:00 p.m. The truck must carry evidence of proper grease waste disposal, such as paperwork or receipts. All refuse must be removed from the site and properly disposed of on a daily basis, and the operator provides a minimum of 32-gallon litter receptacles within 15 feet of the truck. Additional signage, including portable signs, is not permitted at the food truck location.