MOBILE VENDORS.
Fresno Municipal Code § 15-2741
in effectSEC. 15-2741. - MOBILE VENDORS.
A. General Provisions.
1. Noise and amplified music shall comply with all applicable noise standards.
2. Odors shall comply with Section 15-2510, Odors.
3. The sale of alcohol and tobacco products by Vendors is prohibited.
4. The operator shall provide waste removal and shall be responsible for collecting trash/debris and recycling after each stop. Trash includes material dispensed from the Vendor as well as items that may be left by their patrons.
5. Free-standing signs, such as A-frame signs and sidewalk signs, shall comply with Article 26, Signs.
6. Permits. Mobile Vendors shall have a current Tax Certificate, a Mobile Vendor Permit from the City when required by Section 9-1104, and shall have all applicable permits required by the County Health Department.
a. Display of Permit. No mobile vendor shall operate in the city without prominently displaying on their person or vehicle a City-issued sticker or badge designating them as a duly permitted mobile vendor.
b. Display of Name. The mobile vendor's name, the business name, address, telephone number, City permit number, City tax permit, and Fresno County Department of Health number shall be visible on both sides of any vehicle (including, ice cream trucks, bakery wagons, push carts, and bicycles). If the vehicle is a truck, the display shall also be on the rear of the vehicle. The letter size for the name, telephone number and City permit number shall comply with Fresno County requirements and shall be clearly visible at 50 feet.
7. Restaurant, Residential, and School Spacing for Food Vendors. Notwithstanding sections B and C below, Vendors shall not operate within specified distances of the following uses as set forth below:
a. Vendors shall not operate within 300 feet of an existing restaurant, during the restaurant's normal business hours, with the following exceptions:
i. Vendors operating as part of a Farmer's Market per Section 15-2730 or a Special Event per Section 15-2760-B,
ii. The restaurant and the Vendor are operated by the same entity.
iii The Vendor has prior written permission of a business owner to operate on the property of that existing business.
iv. Within the area bounded by Divisidero Street, Highway 41, and Highway 99, non-motorized Vendors may operate within 300 feet of an existing restaurant with prior written permission of the City Manager.
b. Vendors shall not operate within 100 feet of residential uses, with the following exceptions:
i. Caretaker's Residence
ii. Residential units that are part of a vertical mixed-use development.
iii. Vendors operating as part of a Farmer's Market per Section 15-2730 or a Special Event per Section 15-2760-B.
c. Vendors shall not operate within 100 feet of schools, with the following exceptions:
i. Vendors which sell only fresh produce.
ii. Vendors operating as part of a Farmer's Market per Section 15-2730 or a Special Event per Section 15-2760-B.
iii. Any motorized food vendor may not operate within 1,000 feet of a school during regular school hours unless authorized by the school.
B. Off-Street Locations and Time Limits. The following restrictions shall apply except for Vendors operating as part of a Farmer's Market per Section 15-2730 or a Special Event per Section 15-2760-B.
1. Residential Districts. Vendors may not operate within residential districts, with the exception of properties for non-residential uses, such as schools and religious assembly facilities. Vendors shall have prior written authorization from the property owner.
a. Time Limit. Two hours, after which the Vendor must move to a new location that is no less than 500 feet away.
2. Non-Residential Districts. Vendors may operate within non-residential districts. Vendors shall have prior written authorization from the property owner.
a. Time Limit. A vendor may stay in a single location for up to 12 hours in a 24 hour period after which the Vendor must move to a new location that is no less than 500 feet away.
b. Unpaved Surfaces. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Code, Vendors shall be permitted to operate on unpaved surfaces in non-residential districts with prior written authorization of the property owner.
3. City-Owned Property. Vendors may not operate on City-owned property, such as parks, without prior written authorization from the City.
a. Time Limit. At the discretion of the City Manager or his/her designee.
C. On-Street Locations and Time Limits. Vendors may operate on the public right-of-way subject to the following restrictions. Vendors operating as part of a Farmer's Market per Section 15-2730 or a Special Event per Section 15-2760-B are excepted.
1. Residential Districts.
a. Time Limit, Non-Motorized Vendors. Thirty minutes, after which the Vendor must move to a new location that is no less than 300 feet away.
b. Time Limit, Motorized Vendors. Motorized Vendors (including, but not limited to, ice cream trucks) may circulate and stop temporarily for sales, but shall not remain stationary for more than five minutes.
2. Non-Residential Districts.
a. Time Limit. The posted time limit of the parking stall or one hour, whichever is less, after which the Vendor must move to a new location that is no less than 500 feet away.
b. Location. Vendors shall operate from valid on-street parking stalls
c. Customer Transaction Area. Vendors shall park in such a manner that the customer transaction area is on the public sidewalk adjacent to the curb.
3. Compliance with Traffic and Parking Laws. While operating in the public right-of-way, Vendors shall follow all applicable traffic laws and parking regulations, including time limits, payment of parking meters, and no-parking zones.
(Added Ord. 2015-39, § 1, eff. 1-9-16; Am. Ord. 2015-43, § 2, eff. 1-22-16; Am. Ord. 2016-32, § 27, eff. 10-21-16; Am. Ord. 2017-33, § 27, eff. 7-30-17; Am. Ord. 2018-66, § 49, eff. 1-18-19).
Source: City of Fresno, California, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ca/fresno/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=MUCOCHFRCA_CH15CIDECOINRE_PTIIIREAPSOALDI_ART27STSPUSAC_S15-2741MOVEFetched: 11/1/2026