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

Chapter 5.54 of the San Jacinto Municipal Code, adopted by Ord. 19-03 and Ord. 19-04, sets up a permit system for sidewalk vending that the council says complies with the California Safe Sidewalk Vending Act. Section 5.54.020 defines a sidewalk vendor as a person who sells food or merchandise from a pushcart, stand, display, pedal-driven cart, wagon, showcase, rack or other nonmotorized conveyance, or from one's person, on a public sidewalk or other pedestrian path. A roaming vendor moves from place to place and stops only to complete a transaction, and every other vendor is stationary.

Section 5.54.030 is the core. All sidewalk vendors have to obtain a sidewalk vending permit before any vending. The permit creates no real property rights, so a vendor has no easement, lease or right to exclude others from the right-of-way. Vendors have to keep at least forty-eight (48) inches of clear space on any accessible route or sidewalk, or more if the Americans with Disabilities Act, the California Building Code or other access law requires it. A processing fee, set by council resolution, is paid when the application or renewal is filed. Food sellers also need permits, approvals and inspections from Riverside County environmental health. Anything prohibited or conditionally permitted, such as alcohol, in any commercial or industrial zone is also prohibited from a sidewalk vendor.

Under Section 5.54.040 the community development director can deny an application for unpaid fees or fines, material misstatements, missing information, inconsistency with the municipal code or Development Code, missing federal, state or local permits, merchandise that needs a conditional use permit, a prior revocation, or use of a motorized vehicle or conveyance. No permit is required for selling agricultural products on the site where they are grown, catering for private parties held exclusively on private property, or events under a lawful temporary or special event permit such as a certified farmers' market, swap meet or street fair. A permit expires one year from issue unless the permit sets an earlier date, and it is valid only for the original applicant. Denials, suspensions and revocations are appealed under Section 1.28.070.