Street vending cart rules in San Diego, CA β also called pushcart, food cart, or sidewalk vendor regulations β set where mobile vendors can operate and what permits they need.
San Diego sidewalk vending carts must be compact enough to maintain a 48-inch pedestrian path. Food carts must meet County Department of Environmental Health standards including proper handwashing facilities, food temperature controls, and waste management. Carts may not be left unattended on sidewalks.
Under SDMC sidewalk vending regulations and San Diego County DEH food safety requirements, vending carts must comply with the following: carts must be compact and allow a minimum 48-inch accessible pedestrian path on the sidewalk; food carts must have a valid County DEH Temporary Food Facility permit or Mobile Food Facility permit; handwashing facilities with hot and cold water, soap, and paper towels are required for food handling; proper food temperature maintenance (cold foods below 41 degrees F, hot foods above 135 degrees F); overhead protection and sneeze guards for exposed food; waste receptacles for customer use; and a grease trap or wastewater collection system if applicable. Carts may not be left unattended on public sidewalks and must be removed at the end of each vending day. Generators and power equipment must comply with noise limits. Propane tanks must meet fire code requirements. Non-food merchandise carts must still comply with size, placement, and pedestrian path requirements. All carts must display the vendor's permit and Photo ID visibly.
DEH violations: immediate closure if food safety hazard. City vending violations: $100-$500 escalating fines. Unattended cart: removal by City.
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