San Leandro, CA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (2026)
Key Facts
- State Law
- SB 946 (Cal. Gov Code 51036-51039)
- Business License
- Required - SLMC Title 2
- Food Vendor Permit
- Alameda County Env. Health MFF
- Pedestrian Clear Width
- 48 in ADA minimum
- Max Fine 1st Offense
- $250 administrative
Summary
Under California's Safe Sidewalk Vending Act (SB 946, Gov Code 51036-51039), San Leandro must permit sidewalk vendors subject only to objective health, safety, and welfare requirements. Sidewalk food vendors must also hold an Alameda County Environmental Health permit and a San Leandro business license.
51036. For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:
(a) "Sidewalk vendor" means 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, upon a public sidewalk or other pedestrian path.
(b) "Roaming sidewalk vendor" means a sidewalk vendor who moves from place to place and stops only to complete a transaction.
(c) "Stationary sidewalk vendor" means a sidewalk vendor who vends from a fixed location.
(d) "Local authority" means a chartered or general law city, county, or city and county. 51037. (a) A local authority shall not regulate sidewalk vendors except in accordance with Sections 51038 and 51039. 51038. (a) A local authority may adopt a program to regulate sidewalk vendors in compliance with this section.
(b) A local authority's sidewalk vending program shall comply with all of the following standards:
(1) A local authority shall not require a sidewalk vendor to operate within specific parts of the public right-of-way, except when that restriction is directly related to objective health, safety, or welfare concerns.
(4) (B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), a local authority may prohibit stationary sidewalk vendors in areas that are zoned exclusively residential, but shall not prohibit roaming sidewalk vendors.
(c) A local authority may, by ordinance or resolution, adopt additional requirements regulating the time, place, and manner of sidewalk vending if the requirements are directly related to objective health, safety, or welfare concerns, including, but not limited to, any of the following:
(1) Limitations on hours of operation that are not unduly restrictive.
(4) Requiring the sidewalk vendor to obtain from the local authority a permit for sidewalk vending or a valid business license.
(5) Requiring the sidewalk vendor to possess a valid California Department of Tax and Fee Administration seller's permit.
Full Breakdown
California SB 946 (effective 2019) decriminalizes sidewalk vending statewide. Local jurisdictions including San Leandro may regulate time, place, and manner only to address objective concerns. San Leandro requires all vendors to obtain a City business license under SLMC Title 2, and food vendors must additionally hold an Alameda County Department of Environmental Health Mobile Food Facility (MFF) permit under California Retail Food Code. Vendors may not block ADA pedestrian access (must leave 48 inches clear sidewalk under ADA), cannot vend within 500 feet of a permitted special event or farmers' market without consent, and must comply with the City's noise ordinance (SLMC 4-1 Article 11). Violation fines under SB 946 are administrative only, capped at $250 first offense, $500 second, $1,000 third within 12 months.
Violations & Fines
Per SB 946, violations of local sidewalk-vending rules are punishable only by administrative fines subject to an ability-to-pay determination. Vending without a business license is a separate infraction under SLMC Title 2; vending food without an Alameda County MFF permit is a misdemeanor under the California Retail Food Code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell hot dogs on a San Leandro sidewalk?
What is the fine for vending without a permit in San Leandro?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Leandro
California rules heatmap·Compare San Leandro to another location·View the California food trucks & mobile vendors overview
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Sidewalk & Mobile Vending in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Alameda County handle sidewalk & mobile vending.