Sacramento County, CA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Vending Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Zoning Code § 3.10.3.E
- Allowed zones
- Specified commercial/industrial districts only
- Permit required
- Temporary Use Permit
- Street setback
- 25 feet (12.5 ft exception)
- Max sales area
- 200 square feet
Summary
Sacramento County limits temporary food and merchandise concessions, including vehicles, to specified commercial and industrial zoning districts under a Temporary Use Permit, separate from sidewalk-vendor rules covering carts on public rights-of-way.
Temporary concessions are allowed only in specified commercial and industrial zoning districts subject to the conditional approval of a Temporary Use Permit by the Zoning Administrator... All stands, carts, vehicles, and displays of merchandise shall be set back not less than 25 feet from the right-of-way line of any public street... Only one temporary concession vendor at a time may conduct business on any parcel of property.
Full Breakdown
Zoning Code § 3.10.3.E (Temporary Concessions) governs stands, carts, tables, and vehicles selling food or merchandise on private property; the use is allowed only in specified commercial and industrial zoning districts with a Temporary Use Permit from the Zoning Administrator. Vendors must operate day-to-day only, removing equipment nightly, keep a 25-foot setback from the public right-of-way (12.5 feet for tables or carts under 16 square feet), limit sales area to 200 square feet, and provide restroom access within 1,000 feet. This section explicitly excludes sidewalk vendors operating on county rights-of-way or in parks, which fall under Chapter 4.55 and § 9.36.078 instead.
Violations & Fines
Operating a temporary food or merchandise concession vehicle in a zoning district that doesn't permit it, without a Temporary Use Permit, or inside the required 25-foot street setback violates Zoning Code § 3.10.3.E.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a food truck park and sell anywhere in unincorporated Sacramento County?
Does this rule cover food carts on public sidewalks?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sacramento County
California rules heatmap·Compare Sacramento County to another location·View the California food trucks & mobile vendors overview
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