Indio, CA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Valid vending permit + business license
- Sticker location
- Business-license sticker on rear of vehicle
- Food vendor add-on
- County health sticker on windshield
- Permit term
- 12 months, nontransferable
- No-permit fine
- $250-$1,000 administrative citation
Summary
Indio requires vending vehicle operators, food trucks, to hold a valid City vending permit and Chapter 110 business license before operating, with a permit sticker on the truck and a county health sticker for food vendors.
Vending vehicle operators shall obtain and maintain at all times while vending a valid vending permit, a valid business license in accordance with Chapter 110 of this Code, and any other permit(s) or license(s) required by the City or other governmental agencies. A current, valid business license sticker shall be affixed to the back of the vending vehicle. Vendors of food or food products shall in addition affix to the lower left hand side of the windshield a current, valid Riverside County health inspection sticker.
(B) In addition to any other equipment required by law, each vending vehicle shall be equipped with the following:
(1) A convex mirror mounted so that the driver can see the area in front of the truck that is obscured by the truck's hood; and
(2) A back-up alarm audible for a distance of at least 100 feet.
(C) Lettering showing the vending vehicle operator or owner's name, business address, and telephone number shall be permanently affixed to both sides of the vending vehicle in a conspicuous place. The lettering shall at all times be visible, shall not be less than four inches in height, and shall be in contrast to the color of the background upon which it is placed.
(D) No vending vehicle operator shall vend in the following locations:
(1) Within 100 feet of any street intersection controlled by a crosswalk, traffic light, or stop sign;
(2) Within ten feet of any driveway or driveway apron;
(3)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4796010; v13 updated 2026-02-04; through 02-04-2026).
Full Breakdown
Under Indio Municipal Code Chapter 114, every vending vehicle operator, the code's term for a food truck, must obtain and maintain a valid vending permit plus a business license under Chapter 110, and display a current business-license sticker on the rear of the vehicle. Applicants file with the Director (the City Manager or designee), pay a Council-set fee, and provide vehicle details, a California driver's license number, and proof of liability insurance (§ 114.13). Operators who also sell food must additionally display a valid Riverside County Department of Environmental Health inspection sticker on the lower-left windshield. Permits run 12 months, are nontransferable, and can be rescinded after repeat violations.
Violations & Fines
Vending without a valid permit draws an administrative citation: $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second within a year, and $1,000 for each further offense, not a criminal charge (§ 114.21(B)).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Indio require a separate permit for food trucks?
What sticker must an Indio food truck display?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Indio
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Food Truck Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Riverside County handle food truck permits.