San Luis Obispo County, CA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (2026)
Key Facts
- Vehicle time limit
- 30 minutes per spot
- Relocation distance
- 300 feet after time limit
- Return wait
- 3 hours before same spot
- Stalls/carts
- Banned outside permitted events
- License required
- County business license
Summary
Vendor vehicles get only 30 minutes per spot, must then relocate 300 feet, and stalls, carts, or booths are barred from sidewalks outside a permitted farmers market or street closure.
(1)Vendor Motor Vehicles. Vendor motor vehicles are allowed adjacent to the sidewalk area such that the vehicle staying at that location does not exceed thirty minutes and that once said thirty minutes has passed, the vehicle must move to a location at least three hundred feet removed therefrom. Such vehicles may not return to a location where they have previously stopped to vend within the previous three hours.
Full Breakdown
County Code Sec. 13.10.042 lets a vendor motor vehicle park adjacent to a sidewalk for up to 30 minutes, then requires it to move at least 300 feet away, with no return to that same spot for three hours. Nonmotorized carts and vending stalls, counters, tables, booths, or stands are barred from the sidewalk area entirely unless the operation runs inside a permitted farmers market or an authorized special-event street closure under Chapter 15.610. Every vendor working the public right-of-way must first hold a county business license and meet applicable health and safety codes.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the 30-minute/300-foot vehicle limit, returning within three hours, or setting up a stall, cart, or booth without a farmers market or street-closure permit violates Sec. 13.10.042; the county can remove obstructions under Sec. 13.10.050.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I park a food truck on a sidewalk in unincorporated SLO County?
Can I set up a vending stand or cart on the sidewalk?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Luis Obispo County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Luis Obispo County to another location·View the California food trucks & mobile vendors overview
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