San Bernardino, CA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- Business Registration Division
- Permit term
- One year, annual renewal
- Insurance
- $1,000,000 general liability
- Accessible path
- 36 inches minimum
- First violation fine
- Up to $100 (up to $250 if unpermitted)
- Revocation bar
- 2 years after 4th violation
Summary
Non-motorized sidewalk food and merchandise vendors in San Bernardino, including cart and pushcart operators, must get an annual sidewalk vending permit from the Business Registration Division before setting up on any public sidewalk or path. Chapter 5.30 sets the application, fee, term and denial grounds.
All sidewalk vendors shall obtain a sidewalk vending permit from the City Business Registration Division prior to engaging in any sidewalk vending activities. ... A sidewalk vending permit issued pursuant to this chapter shall automatically expire one year from the date issued, unless an earlier expiration date is noted on the permit. ... A sidewalk vending permit shall not be transferable to any other entity or person and is valid only as to the original applicant for the term stated.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-2: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. MC-1666, passed 8-5-2026).
Full Breakdown
19. 060, and $1,000,000 in general liability insurance naming the city as additional insured, plus the processing fee set by Council resolution. 040, the Director of Finance and Management Services may deny an application for unpaid fees, material misstatements, an operation inconsistent with the chapter's standards, or missing required licenses; a denial is mailed with the reasons stated. 040(D) exempts on-site sales of grown agricultural products (excluding cannabis), private catering not open to the public, and events under a temporary event permit. 050 requires annual renewal with the same information as the original application.
Violations & Fines
Vending without a permit, or violating a permit condition, is unlawful under § 5.30.120(A), punishable by an administrative fine up to $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second within a year, and $500 for each further violation; vending specifically without a sidewalk vending permit may instead draw a fine up to $250 for a first violation and $500 for a second. Under § 5.30.090, the Director may suspend or rescind a permit after four or more violations for fraud, misrepresentation or creating a public nuisance, and a revoked vendor cannot reapply for two years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do sidewalk food cart vendors need a city permit in San Bernardino?
How long does a San Bernardino sidewalk vending permit last?
What can get my sidewalk vending permit denied?
What's the fine for sidewalk vending without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Bernardino
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Sidewalk & Mobile Vending in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle sidewalk & mobile vending.