Cathedral City, CA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Vending Zones (2026)

Section 5.82.020 of the Cathedral City Municipal Code sets where mobile food vendors can sell from the public right-of-way in Cathedral City, California. The school rule in subsection A.6 bars operating on any public street within five hundred feet of the nearest property line of a school building, and it applies between seven a.m. and five p.m. on school days. The school principal or equivalent can give written permission to park closer on school property; the permission is valid for one occasion unless it states otherwise, and the vendor must give the city a copy within five days of receiving it. Subsection A.11 keeps the facility at least twenty-five feet from any street intersection controlled by a crosswalk, traffic light or stop sign. Subsection A.12 bars operating within seven hundred fifty feet of a fund raising event run by a private organization while the event is under way, unless the president or other responsible officer gives written permission. A private organization is a nongovernmental group providing recreational or athletic activities to Cathedral City residents that the City Council has designated by resolution (§ 5.82.010).

The same section sets the curbside conduct rules. The truck must comply with all parking and Vehicle Code provisions for its location, must not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic, and must not encroach onto a public sidewalk with any part of the facility, equipment or furniture. Vending is prohibited on the exposed street or traffic side, and no customer can be served in a way that makes a person stand between the vehicle and the center of the street. Cart-based sidewalk vendors fall under separate provisions in Chapter 5.98, and § 5.82.030(B) excuses pedestrian and push cart vendors from Chapter 5.82.