Mountain View, CA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Vending Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- Allowed zones
- Commercial and industrial
- Residential limits
- Private events only
- Castro Street
- Special events only
- Sidewalk vendor law
- SB 946 statewide
- Special event buffer
- 100 feet
Summary
Food trucks in Mountain View may operate in commercial and industrial zones with property owner consent. Castro Street downtown restricts vending to special events. Sidewalk vendors are protected by SB 946 statewide.
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.
(3) A local authority shall not require a sidewalk vendor to first obtain the consent or approval of any nongovernmental entity or individual before he or she can sell food or merchandise.
(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
Mountain View Zoning Ordinance permits mobile food facilities in CN, CS, CRA Commercial, ML Manufacturing, and MP Industrial Park zones at private property with owner permission. Operations in residential zones are limited to catering and private events. The Downtown Precise Plan restricts street vending on Castro Street to permitted special events like the A la Carte and Art Festival or Farmers Market, coordinated with the Mountain View Central Business Association. Sidewalk vendors under SB 946 may operate in public areas subject to time, place, and manner regulations including 10-foot clearance from driveways, compliance with ADA paths of travel, and 100-foot distance from permitted special events. Each vendor needs a Sidewalk Vending Permit plus county health approval if selling food.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run a food truck in my neighborhood?
Where can sidewalk vendors operate?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Mountain View
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Vending Zones in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Santa Clara County handle vending zones.