Anaheim, CA Street Vending: Cart & Stand Rules (2026)

Anaheim coordinates cart regulation with the Orange County Health Care Agency and the California Retail Food Code. Food vending carts must be commercially manufactured or built to NSF or equivalent sanitary standards, with smooth cleanable surfaces, hot and cold holding at the temperatures required by the California Retail Food Code (135 F or higher for hot foods, 41 F or lower for cold foods), and handwash and utensil-wash facilities appropriate to the category of food served. Compliant Mobile Food Units and Compact Mobile Food Operations must be commissary-based and return to the commissary daily for cleaning, waste disposal, and potable-water refill. Anaheim additionally caps the footprint of any single sidewalk vending cart at dimensions set in AMC 4.30 (typically 4 feet by 6 feet including umbrellas, canopies, and attached coolers) so carts do not overwhelm sidewalk width. Propane tanks used for cooking must be secured and limited in size per Fire Code and California Mechanical Code. Carts cannot be chained or locked to street furniture, trees, sign posts, or parking meters overnight — unattended carts on public sidewalks may be impounded. Non-food merchandise carts are not regulated by the Health Care Agency but must still meet city size and safety rules. All equipment must display the vendor permit number and Orange County health sticker visibly.