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

Section 18-15.4 of the Novato Municipal Code puts the permit requirement on two groups. Subsection a covers owners and managers: no one can own, control, manage, lease, or contract with others for the operation of a mobile food vending vehicle in the city without a valid and unexpired commercial solicitation permit, and the requirement applies to each and every vehicle. Subsection b covers the people on the truck: no one can drive, operate, vend or prepare food from such a vehicle without a permit. The City Council adopted the rules as Ordinance No. 1570 on January 10, 2012.

The permit itself is issued under section 14-8, Commercial Soliciting, Peddling and Canvassing. Under § 14-8.2 it comes from the chief of police. Under § 14-8.4 the applicant files a verified application, lists the year, model and license number of any motor vehicle used, describes the vehicle and the property where it will be located, and, for any food product, submits evidence of compliance with the requirements of the Division of Environmental Health of the County of Marin. An application fee set by city council resolution applies under § 14-8.5. The chief of police decides within 20 days of receiving a completed application (§ 14-8.6), and a food applicant who has not submitted the Marin County evidence can be denied. A permit condition or denial can be appealed to the city council by filing notice with the city clerk within 10 days (§ 14-8.8).

Permits expire on December 31 of each year (§ 14-8.9) and cannot be transferred (§ 14-8.11). Under § 18-15.5 the operator keeps the permit in possession at all times while operating or vending and surrenders it to the chief of police on suspension, revocation or expiration. A driver of a vehicle that meets the California Vehicle Code definition of a motor vehicle must also carry a current California driver's license and proof of financial responsibility. Section 18-15.6 adds that each vehicle displays a current County of Marin health inspection sticker on the lower right side of the windshield.