Carson, CA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Vending Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- School buffer
- 1,500 ft during school hours
- Intersection buffer
- 25 feet
- Selling hours
- 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Permits needed
- Business license + health permit
Summary
Carson bars motorized food trucks from vending within 1,500 feet of a school during school hours, within twenty-five feet of a controlled intersection, and outside the 7 a.m.-to-10 p.m. selling window in the public right-of-way.
A mobile food vendor may locate its vehicle in the public right-of-way as long as the mobile food vendor adheres to the following standards ... A mobile food vendor shall not keep, maintain or operate any mobile food truck/vending vehicle upon any public street, parkway, alley, or highway within one thousand five hundred (1,500) feet of the boundaries of any public or private elementary or secondary school between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on any day when such school is in session ... Sales ... shall occur only within the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. of the same day.
Full Breakdown
Carson Municipal Code § 63142 regulates mobile food trucks vending from the public right-of-way. A truck may not operate within one thousand five hundred feet of any public or private elementary or secondary school between 6:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on a day the school is in session, may not sell within twenty-five feet of any intersection controlled by a crosswalk, traffic light or stop sign, and may sell only between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Trucks also can't vend from the traffic side of the vehicle, encroach onto sidewalks, or operate without a City business license, health permit and food handler's certificate.
Violations & Fines
Vending near a school during school hours, within twenty-five feet of a controlled intersection, outside the 7 a.m.-10 p.m. window, or without the required City and health permits violates § 63142 and can void the permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How close to a school can a food truck park in Carson?
What hours can a Carson food truck sell in the right-of-way?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Carson
California rules heatmap·Compare Carson to another location·View the California food trucks & mobile vendors overview
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