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Fresno County, CA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Vending Zones (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

State Laws
SB 946, SB 972, AB 1401
County Zoning
Commercial/industrial OK
Stationary
May need CUP
Outright Ban
Prohibited by state

Summary

SB 946 (2018) legalized sidewalk vending statewide. SB 972 (2023) streamlined MFF zoning. AB 1401 (2022) limits local time/place restrictions. Fresno County zoning sets allowed locations; prolonged vending requires land-use approval.

City-specific rules exist: Clovis, and Fresno have their own vending zones rules that differ from Fresno County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

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. 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.

(2) (A) A local authority shall not prohibit a sidewalk vendor from selling food or merchandise in a park owned or operated by the local authority, except the local authority may prohibit stationary sidewalk vendors from vending in the park only if the operator of the park has signed an agreement for concessions that exclusively permits the sale of food or merchandise by the concessionaire.

(4) (A) A local authority shall not restrict sidewalk vendors to operate only in a designated neighborhood or area, except when that restriction is directly related to objective health, safety, or welfare concerns.

(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.

Source: CA SB 946 Sidewalk VendorsView official code

Full Breakdown

California SB 972 (2023) amended CalCode to encourage MFF operation and limits what cities/counties can restrict. Fresno County Zoning Ordinance designates commercial, industrial zones where MFFs may operate. Extended stationary vending (>1 hour at same location) may trigger conditional use permit in some zones. SB 946 applies to sidewalk food vendors; cities can regulate time, place, manner but not ban outright.

Violations & Fines

Zoning violation: notice of violation, daily fines. State law limits enforcement that would effectively ban vending.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the county ban food trucks?
No. SB 972 limits local authority to effectively prohibit MFFs. Time/place/manner restrictions must be based on health/safety, not aesthetics.
Where can food trucks operate in unincorporated Fresno County?
Commercial and industrial zones under the County Zoning Ordinance allow MFF operation. Residential zones are generally restricted.
Do I need a conditional use permit to park a food truck in one place?
Possibly. Extended stationary vending of more than one hour at the same location may trigger a conditional use permit under Fresno County zoning.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Fresno County

All Fresno County rules

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Vending Zones in Cities Across Fresno County