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

Unlike many California cities, unincorporated San Mateo County has no dedicated mobile vending zones. Food trucks on County roads are subject to standard parking regulations (72-hour max under CVC §22651(k) if not moved). Vending on the public right-of-way for more than brief periods requires an Encroachment Permit from Public Works and is rarely granted. Vending on private property (commercial lots, parking areas, construction sites) is allowed with the property owner's written permission, provided the zoning permits the use — this typically means commercial (C) or industrial (M) zoning; residential and agricultural zones do not permit food truck vending. SB 946 (California Sidewalk Vendors Act, 2019) preempts local bans on sidewalk food vending (pedestrian, not vehicular) but does not affect parked food trucks. Food trucks cannot operate within 500 feet of a school campus during school hours under Education Code §49535.5. County franchise food truck events (outside schools, on construction sites, office parks) commonly operate under 3-4 hour scheduled blocks with rotating locations.