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Stanislaus County, CA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Permit issuer
Stanislaus County tax collector
Application requires
physical description, criminal record
Also required
property owner's written permission
Fee
annual, set by board of supervisors
Permit
non-transferable; must carry at all times
Violation
infraction, each day a separate offense

Summary

Any itinerant or street vendor operating in unincorporated Stanislaus County, selling goods, services, or soliciting orders outside a fixed business, must first get a permit from the county tax collector. Section 6.68.020(A) makes selling without one unlawful, and Section 6.68.030(A) spells out the application: a full physical description of the applicant, vehicle details, and a description of what's being sold.

City-specific rules exist: Modesto has its own sidewalk & mobile vending rules that differ from Stanislaus County's county-level regulations. If you live in Modesto, check the city-specific page instead.

Except as provided in this chapter, it is unlawful for any itinerant vendor to sell new or used personal property or services, or solicit orders in any unincorporated areas of Stanislaus County, without having first procured from the tax collector of Stanislaus County a permit for such purpose. The tax collector of Stanislaus County is designated as the agent of the board of supervisors for the purpose of issuing permits as provided in this chapter. ... Itinerant vendor permits may be acquired by submitting an application to the tax collector of Stanislaus County. The application shall be on a form prescribed by the tax collector and shall include ... a full and complete description of the goods or services offered by the applicant; a complete physical description of the applicant including sex, race, age, height, weight, color of hair and eyes; and a description and license number of any vehicles used by the applicant.

Full Breakdown

020(A), is the sole issuer of itinerant vendor permits in the unincorporated county. 030(A) sets the application bar high for a local vending permit: beyond the applicant's name, permanent and temporary address, and a description of the goods or services offered, the form requires a complete physical description, sex, race, age, height, weight, hair and eye color, plus the description and license number of any vehicle used, other identification the tax collector requires, and the applicant's complete criminal record if any. If the applicant works for someone else, the application must also name that employer and describe the employer's business.

030(B) requires written permission from the property owner where the vendor will operate, attached to the application before a permit issues. 030(C) gets a shortened form, name, address, and a description of goods only. 040 lets the tax collector delay issuance to verify the applicant's business address and employer, and sets an annual fee by board of supervisors resolution. 060 requires the vendor to carry it at all times for inspection on demand. 080 exempts wholesalers calling on retail businesses and Stanislaus County farmers selling their own produce from the permit requirement.

Violations & Fines

Vending or soliciting orders in the unincorporated county without a tax collector permit violates Section 6.68.020(A). Section 6.68.070 lets a designated county officer suspend a permit on the spot for unlawful conduct, with a hearing before the nuisance abatement hearing board within fourteen days; Section 6.68.100 makes any chapter violation an infraction under Section 1.36.020, with each day a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who issues street vendor permits in Stanislaus County?
The county tax collector, designated under Section 6.68.020(A) as the board of supervisors' agent for itinerant vendor permits. Selling personal property or services, or soliciting orders, anywhere in the unincorporated county without first getting that permit is unlawful, regardless of how briefly the vendor operates.
What information does a Stanislaus County vendor permit application require?
Section 6.68.030(A) requires the applicant's name and address, a description of the goods or services sold, a complete physical description including height, weight, and hair and eye color, the applicant's vehicle description and license number, and the applicant's criminal record, if any, plus employer information if not self-employed.
Can a Stanislaus County vendor permit be transferred to someone else?
No. Section 6.68.050 states permits issued under the chapter are not assignable or transferable and may be used only by the person to whom they were issued. The permit holder must also carry it at all times under Section 6.68.060 and show it to authorized county officers on demand.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Stanislaus County

All Stanislaus County rules

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