San Diego food trucks need a Mobile Food Facility permit from San Diego County Department of Environmental Health & Quality ($488–$889/year depending on truck type), a city Business Tax Certificate, and must comply with SDMC §141.0614 mobile food truck regulations. Vending requires written property-owner consent on private lots and is restricted on public streets.
San Diego food trucks operate under San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ) using the CalCode Mobile Food Facility (MFF) framework. Annual permit fees range from $488 for prepackaged-only trucks to $889 for full food prep units. All trucks must affiliate with a permitted commissary for daily servicing and pass an initial plan-check plus in-person construction inspection before opening. Within the City of San Diego, San Diego Municipal Code §141.0614 governs Mobile Food Trucks on private property: operators must obtain written consent from the property owner, may not operate within 25 feet of a residential zone driveway, and must keep at least 100 feet from any school during school hours. On public rights-of-way, San Diego Police enforce California Vehicle Code §22455 (no stopping more than necessary) and SDMC §54.0117 limits on street vending. A city Business Tax Certificate from the Office of the City Treasurer is required.
Operating without a DEHQ permit is a misdemeanor with fines from $100 to $1,000 per day plus immediate closure. SDMC §141.0614 violations are subject to administrative citations starting at $100, $200, and $500 for successive offenses within 12 months. Selling food from an unpermitted commissary or expired plate can also result in food impoundment.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in San Diego County.
See how other cities in San Diego County handle food truck permits.
See how San Diego's food truck permits rules stack up against other locations.
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