Sacramento County, CA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- County Code § 4.55.025(A)
- Issuing agency
- Dept. of Finance
- Application decision
- Within 30 days
- Food vendors also need
- Ch. 6.05 health permit
Summary
Street and sidewalk vendors in unincorporated Sacramento County need an active Sidewalk Vendor Business License from the Department of Finance before operating.
License Required. No person shall operate a stand or vend any merchandise or food on the public sidewalks, County rights-of-way, or in public parks within the unincorporated area of the County unless they have an active and valid Sidewalk Vendor Business License issued by the Sacramento County Department of Finance pursuant to this Chapter.
B. Permit Required. No person shall operate a stand or vend any food on public sidewalks, County rights-of-way, or in public parks within the unincorporated area of the County unless they have an active and valid health permit issued by the Environmental Management Department pursuant to Chapter 6.05.
1. This permit requirement shall not apply to those compact mobile food operations that are exempt pursuant to Sacramento County Code Section 6.05.030.
C. Individual License Requirements. A valid and active license and, when required by this Chapter, a health permit shall be required for each individual vendor. Each vendor, in accordance with this Chapter, shall be limited to operating a single stand.
D. Display Requirement. The Sidewalk Vending licensee shall display all licenses in a visible manner on their cart, stand or location of vending. This requirement shall apply to all necessary licenses including but not limited to the Sidewalk Vendor Business License, Health Permit, Seller's Permit, and other applicable licenses. (SCC 1754, 2/4/2025)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4941150; v18 updated 2026-05-19).
Full Breakdown
Section 4.55.025(A) requires anyone operating a stand or vending merchandise or food on public sidewalks, County rights-of-way, or in public parks in the unincorporated area to hold an active Sidewalk Vendor Business License issued by the Department of Finance. Food vendors also need a health permit from the Environmental Management Department under Chapter 6.05. The Director has 30 days to issue or deny an application, and licenses must be visibly displayed on the cart or stand.
Violations & Fines
Vending without an active license is a Chapter 4.55 violation; the Director can deny, suspend, or revoke a license after written notice, with a 15-day window to appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a street vendor need a permit in unincorporated Sacramento County?
How long does the County take to decide a vendor license application?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sacramento County
California rules heatmap·Compare Sacramento County to another location·View the California food trucks & mobile vendors overview
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