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

California's Safe Sidewalk Vending Act (SB 946, 2018; Gov. Code §§ 51036-51039) bars cities from imposing outright prohibitions on sidewalk vending and limits cities to objective health, safety, and welfare regulations. Cities may not require operators to give up vending rights as a condition for other permits, may not bar vending in parks except for narrow exceptions (e.g., where the City has an exclusive concession agreement and the prohibition is limited to that concession area). Riverside issues a Sidewalk Vending Permit through the City Finance Department; applicants need (1) a Riverside business tax certificate, (2) a California Seller's Permit if selling taxable goods, (3) a Riverside County DEH Mobile Food Facility permit if selling food, and (4) general liability insurance per city schedule. Operators must keep a clear path of at least 4 ft on the sidewalk (ADA — 28 CFR Part 36 Appendix A § 403.5.1), may not vend within 18 inches of a curb, may not vend in roadways, and must follow city sign and noise ordinances. Per SB 946, criminal penalties for unpermitted vending are prohibited — enforcement is by administrative fine: up to $100 first violation, $200 second, $500 third within one year (Gov. Code § 51039(a)). Selling food without a county DEH permit is, separately, a misdemeanor under California Health & Safety Code § 114387.