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

Ord. 348 sets the zoning framework for vendors. Commercial (C-1, C-P-S, C-T), industrial (M-M, M-H), and many planned districts allow MFFs on private lots with owner consent. Residential zones generally prohibit stationary MFFs; ice-cream trucks may traverse neighborhoods but must move promptly, ring chimes only while moving, and stop only briefly to serve customers. Desert, mountain, and rural-residential zones further restrict vending to protect neighborhood character. Special events (fairs, rodeos, community festivals) may authorize temporary MFF sites under a Temporary Use Permit. Vendors at Riverside County Regional Parks require a concessionaire agreement. State highway shoulders (I-10, I-15, SR-74, SR-79, SR-111, SR-243) are regulated by Caltrans and off-limits. Setback rules typically require MFFs to be at least 400 feet from schools during school hours to comply with nutrition standards. SB 946 and SB 972 govern sidewalk vendors with produce or prepared food and preempt overly restrictive local bans; Riverside County permits sidewalk vendors in compliance with those laws. Violations lead to citations, impound, and health-permit suspension.