San Bernardino Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits Rules (2026)

Operating a food truck in San Bernardino requires multiple layers of permitting. First, operators must obtain a City of San Bernardino business license through the Finance Department. Second, mobile food facilities (MFF) must be permitted by San Bernardino County Department of Public Health Environmental Health Services under the California Retail Food Code (Health and Safety Code 113700 and following). Environmental Health inspects each truck for potable water, wastewater tanks, refrigeration, handwashing, and food-contact surfaces, and issues a decal that must be displayed on the vehicle. Third, food trucks must operate from a commissary kitchen where food is prepared, equipment cleaned, and waste disposed at least once every 24 hours per CRFC. A written commissary agreement is required. On-street operation in San Bernardino is subject to zoning district rules and time limits, often limited to 2 hours at one location in residential areas. Special event permits are separate through the City Manager office. Sidewalk food vendors who are not operating a vehicle are regulated under SB 946 (Government Code 51036-51039) which preempts outright bans on sidewalk vending; cities may regulate time, place, and manner but must have reasonable health and safety justifications. Brick-and-mortar restaurant operators occasionally dispute food truck parking near their establishments; San Bernardino typically requires separation distance only where expressly zoned. Gross receipts taxes and sales taxes apply to all sales.