Chino Hills, CA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit authority
- City Director (Assistant City Manager)
- Permit term
- 12 months, nontransferable
- Insurance required
- $500,000 general liability
- Sidewalk clearance
- 4 feet (ADA)
- Unpermitted vending fine
- up to $1,000 escalating
- Charity exemption
- bona fide charities exempt
Summary
Selling food or merchandise from a pushcart, table, or stand on a Chino Hills sidewalk requires a City sidewalk vendor permit under Municipal Code Chapter 5.58. The permit runs twelve months, demands $500,000 in general liability insurance, and food vendors must also carry a San Bernardino County health permit. Bona fide charities are exempt.
A.Operating as a sidewalk vendor is prohibited without a valid permit issued in accordance with this chapter. Persons must, in addition to obtaining a permit in this chapter, comply with all other provisions of this Code.B.A bona fide charity is exempt from this chapter and is otherwise regulated pursuant to § 17510, et seq. of the Business and Professions Code.C.No person or entity shall own, operate, or allow the operation of any activity or facility subject to DEHS jurisdiction, whether permanent or for temporary special events, without first applying for, receiving, and retaining an unexpired, unsuspended, unrevoked DEHS operational permit for each activity or facility, and paying fees to DEHS in those amounts specified in the San Bernardino County Code Schedule of Fees.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 61).
Full Breakdown
030). 020(E) is the Assistant City Manager unless the City Manager designates otherwise. 40, and, for food sales, proof of a San Bernardino County Department of Environmental Health Services (DEHS) permit under Health and Safety Code Sections 113700 through 114437. An insurance certificate showing $500,000 in general liability coverage naming the City as additional insured must accompany the application. on school days or within 500 feet of a certified farmer's market or swap meet without City permission. Prohibited merchandise includes alcohol, weapons, fireworks, cannabis, tobacco and vape products, and counterfeit goods, and structures cannot exceed nine feet in height.
Violations & Fines
Violations of the general operating rules (Sections 5.58.050 through 5.58.070) draw administrative fines of $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second within a year, and $500 for a third, with permit revocation possible on a fourth violation. Vending without any permit carries steeper administrative fines up to $250, $500, then $1,000, under Chapter 1.18. Fines cannot be converted to an infraction or misdemeanor, and low-income violators may qualify for a reduced fine or community service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to sell food from a cart in Chino Hills?
How long does a Chino Hills sidewalk vendor permit last?
What insurance does a Chino Hills sidewalk vendor need?
What happens if I vend on a Chino Hills sidewalk without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chino Hills
California rules heatmap·Compare Chino Hills to another location·View the California food trucks & mobile vendors overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Sidewalk & Mobile Vending in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle sidewalk & mobile vending.