Fontana, CA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- City sidewalk vending permit before any vending
- Accessible path
- 36 inches minimum for stationary vendors
- Liability insurance
- $1,000,000/$2,000,000/$1,000,000 coverage required
- Permit term
- One year, non-transferable
- First-violation fine
- Up to $100 (unpermitted vending: $250)
Summary
Fontana requires every sidewalk vendor, whether roaming or stationary, to obtain a sidewalk vending permit from the business license department before setting up on a public sidewalk. Stationary vendors need a site plan showing a 36-inch accessible path and $1,000,000/$2,000,000 liability insurance. Vending entirely without a permit draws steeper fines than vending on a lapsed or noncompliant one.
(a)All sidewalk vendors shall obtain a sidewalk vending permit from the city's business license department prior to engaging in any sidewalk vending activities... (8)For stationary sidewalk vendors, a site plan map of the proposed location(s) where vending will take place, showing that the sidewalk location maintains a minimum of 36 inches of accessible route area, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act... (9)For stationary sidewalk vendors, a public liability policy, including products liability insurance...with limits of $1,000,000.00 each person, $2,000,000.00 each occurrence for personal and $1,000,000.00 each occurrence for property damage...in favor of the city.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 64 | Zoning and Development Code: Supplement 17).
Full Breakdown
Fontana Municipal Code Sec. 15-818 finds that sidewalk vending of prepared or pre-packaged food, goods and wares can pose unsafe conditions, so Article XVII regulates both roaming and stationary vending. Sec. 15-820 requires every sidewalk vendor to obtain a sidewalk vending permit from the business license department before vending, submitting a copy of the state seller's permit, the days and hours of operation, and, for food vendors, a county health permit. 00 per occurrence for property damage, naming the city as an additional insured. The director reviews applications within 30 days and may deny a permit for unpaid fees, material misstatements, or noncompliance with the article (Sec.
15-821). Permits run for one year from issuance and are not transferable; exemptions cover on-site sale of agricultural products, private catering, and vendors covered by a temporary event permit such as a certified farmers' market or swap meet. Violations carry an administrative fine schedule under Sec. 00 for each additional violation. 00 for first, second and additional violations, though those fines drop to the lower schedule once the vendor produces a valid permit. Fines cannot be converted to a misdemeanor or infraction, and the adjudicator must consider the person's ability to pay.
Violations & Fines
Vending without a required permit is punished more heavily than vending on a permit that lapses or violates a condition (Sec. 15-827(a)-(b)). The director may suspend or rescind a permit after two or more violations for fraud, misrepresentation, vending that creates a public nuisance, or failure to pay the business license tax (Sec. 15-825), and code enforcement or peace officers may seize evidence used in a violation (Sec. 15-828).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to sell food from a cart on a Fontana sidewalk?
What's the penalty for vending in Fontana without a permit?
How long does a Fontana sidewalk vending permit last?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fontana
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