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

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. Stationary vendors must additionally submit a site plan showing the location keeps a minimum 36-inch accessible route in compliance with the ADA, approved by the planning division, and carry public liability insurance of $1,000,000.00 per person, $2,000,000.00 per occurrence for personal injury, and $1,000,000.00 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. 15-827: up to $100.00 for a first violation, $200.00 for a second within a year, and $500.00 for each additional violation.

Vending entirely without a permit draws steeper fines of up to $250.00, $500.00, and $1,000.00 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.