Fresno County, CA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Vending Zones (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.
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.
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?
Where can food trucks operate in unincorporated Fresno County?
Do I need a conditional use permit to park a food truck in one place?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fresno County
California rules heatmap·Compare Fresno County to another location·View the California food trucks & mobile vendors overview
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