Kern County, CA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (2026)
Key Facts
- Stationary time limit
- 30 minutes per location, per 24 hours
- Return restriction
- Cannot return to same spot within 24 hrs
- Sanitation alternative
- Handwashing facility within 300 feet
- Vehicle license fee
- $15 per year, per vehicle
- Minimum fine
- $100 for unlicensed vending
Summary
Mobile food vendors in unincorporated Kern County cannot park a cart, wagon or vehicle in one spot to sell food or drinks for more than 30 minutes in any 24-hour period, or return to that spot within 24 hours, unless they keep the area clean and either sell only sealed or dispensed food or provide handwashing facilities within 300 feet.
A person engaging in the business of peddling, selling or delivering liquids or edibles for human consumption from packs, baskets, handcarts, wagons or other vehicles, either retail or wholesale, shall not remain or permit his pack, basket, handcart, wagon or other vehicle to remain in any one location for the purpose of sale or display of liquids or edibles for more than thirty (30) minutes during any twenty-four (24) hour period or return to the same location within any twenty-four (24) hour period, unless during all of the time during which he is at such location he keeps the premises in a neat and orderly condition, picks up and disposes in a sanitary manner of all debris, garbage, papers, litter and other things which detract from the sanitation, safety and appearance of such premises, and either: (a) all food products, except liquids, are sold only in sealed packages or from sanitary dispensers, or (b) toilet and handwashing facilities are available to the said licensee within a distance of three hundred (300) feet from the location, which facilities meet with the approval of the health officer.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 59 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
32 (Food Peddlers) governs anyone selling liquids or edibles for human consumption from a pack, basket, handcart, wagon or vehicle in the unincorporated county. 060 bars stationary vending: a vendor cannot let the cart or vehicle remain in one location for sale or display of liquids or edibles for more than 30 minutes during any 24-hour period, or return to the same location within any 24-hour period. The only way to stay longer or come back sooner is to keep the site neat and orderly, pick up all debris and litter, and either sell food only in sealed packages or from sanitary dispensers, or make toilet and handwashing facilities available within 300 feet that the health officer approves.
04. 050 also requires every pack, basket, handcart or wagon to be kept in a sanitary condition at all times, subject to health officer rules.
Violations & Fines
Violating the 30-minute stationary limit, or vending without the sanitation safeguards, is treated as a separate offense for each day it continues under Section 5.32.070. Violating the underlying vehicle-license requirement of Section 5.32.020(A) carries a minimum fine of $100; other violations of the chapter are likewise unlawful, and the health officer can effectively pull an unsanitary conveyance's license under Sections 5.32.040 and 5.32.050.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a food cart stay parked at one spot in Kern County?
Do I need a permit to sell food from a cart in unincorporated Kern County?
Is there an exception to the 30-minute vending limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kern County
California rules heatmap·Compare Kern County 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.