San Bernardino County, CA Food and Mobile Food License Guide (2026)

Permit and agency decision table

This table is a routing map, not a promise that every row applies to every food business. Your menu, equipment, business structure, employees, and exact operating location change the final list.

County health permit vs city or unincorporated rules

San Bernardino County is easy to misread because a business can be physically in the county but inside an incorporated city with its own local rules.

The County Clerk of the Board says San Bernardino County does not issue one general business license covering the whole county, and it no longer issues a general business license for unincorporated-area businesses. That does not remove separate health, zoning, event, FBN, fire/building, or tax duties.

Food shows the difference. EHS handles the health-permit layer, but its mobile-food guidance says the permit does not grant permission to operate at any location.

Inside a city, use that city for local business/vending/site rules. In unincorporated territory, start with the County zoning and overlay maps.

Choose the correct food permit path before applying

EHS separates food sellers by operating model:

EHS also identifies a narrow permit-exempt category for certain compact mobile operations of 25 square feet or less selling only qualifying prepackaged nonpotentially hazardous foods or whole uncut produce. Confirm the exemption before operating.

Wholesale processing or distribution is a different path and can add state registration; this guide focuses on retail and mobile food.

Food truck, trailer, cart, and CMFO rules

Food trucks and trailers

EHS describes food vehicles as motorized vehicles or trailers towed by motorized vehicles. Depending on the approved plans, they can support full food preparation and therefore may need power, refrigeration, sinks, hot and cold water, and other reviewed equipment.

For a vehicle where food is prepared or potentially hazardous food is sold or given away, EHS currently lists approved plans, a valid health permit, restroom authorization, and an approved commissary agreement. EHS also uses an operating-schedule form.

Commissary and operating schedule

County Code § 33.0408 requires the applicable EHS permit. It also requires mobile food facilities to meet plan/equipment rules, report to an approved commissary daily for cleaning, servicing, and storage unless an allowed mobile support unit is used, and provide EHS a monthly operating-location schedule. See County Code § 33.0408.

Carts and compact mobile food operations

CMFOs are nonmotorized operations such as pushcarts, stands, displays, pedal-driven carts, or wagons. Requirements depend on menu and risk. EHS says raw meat cannot be cooked from the raw state on a CMFO, while higher-risk/open-food setups can require sinks, refrigeration, approved plans, a commissary, restroom authorization, and a health permit.

HCD construction and 2026 standards

California HCD regulates certain mobile units as special purpose commercial modulars. San Bernardino County EHS current guidance directs applicable truck/trailer operators to obtain an HCD insignia before finalizing the health-permit process.

2026 change: HCD lists the 2025 California Building Standards Code as effective January 1, 2026 for its commercial-modular/SPCM program. Use current HCD standards for a new, converted, or altered applicable unit.

Renewal

EHS guidance updated August 25, 2026 says food trucks and trailers need an annual decal renewal inspection before paying the health-permit invoice to keep the permit active. The webpage update date is evidence of current guidance, not proof the rule first began in 2026.

Fixed restaurant, market, bakery, or retail food facility

A permanent restaurant, market, bakery, deli, or similar retail food facility uses the fixed-facility EHS path, not a mobile permit.

County Plan Check says plans are required for new and remodeled food facilities and may be required when the operation or menu changes. Plans must be approved before construction or remodeling. The practical sequence is: confirm zoning, prepare the menu/layout, submit plans, obtain local building approvals, complete construction, pass EHS inspections, and obtain the health permit before opening.

Food-handler and manager requirements

San Bernardino County has a local food-handler program. EHS says food-service employees working in the county must obtain the San Bernardino County EHS food-handler card; cards from other counties, programs, or companies are not accepted as substitutes for this local requirement.

As of October 2, 2026, EHS lists the online food-handler training and test at $22. For food facilities that prepare, handle, or serve nonprepackaged potentially hazardous food, EHS also cites the California Retail Food Code requirement for at least one owner or employee who has passed an approved food-safety certification exam, subject to the law’s exceptions. Review the EHS Food Handlers & Managers page before opening or hiring.

Zoning, events, and permission to sell

Inside an incorporated city

EHS health approval is county-level, but city rules can still control where you may operate. EHS says free-roaming vendors may sell in approved locations within city jurisdictions and city approval is required before operating. Check the city that controls the exact selling location.

The broader California business license guide explains the state/local split.

In unincorporated San Bernardino County

County Land Use Services controls zoning. Its Planning applications page routes users to EZOP for applications including Temporary Special Event Permits and Temporary Use Permits.

The County Development Code says food trucks remain subject to health-permit rules, and a food-truck activity at a temporary special event in an unincorporated area can require a Temporary Special Event Permit when the event meets the code definition and is not exempt. See the food-truck-event code chapter.

Private-property permission is separate from government approval. Get both.

California tax, business name, entity, and employer steps

Seller’s permit

If you sell taxable food, beverages, or other taxable products, California CDTFA requires a seller’s permit. Taxability depends on what and how you sell; CDTFA has a specific mobile food vendor tax guide. For mobile vendors, district tax can also depend on where a taxable sale occurs.

BLG’s Seller’s Permit vs Business License guide explains why the tax permit is separate from local permission to operate.

Fictitious business name

If your business name meets California’s FBN rules, file with the San Bernardino County Clerk. The County page explains online, mail, in-person, and publication steps. An FBN is a name filing, not a food permit.

Entity and employer accounts

California LLCs, corporations, and limited partnerships use the Secretary of State’s bizfile system. Effective August 1, 2026, the Secretary of State says User Access is required for online filings in bizfile Online.

If you hire, use EDD e-Services for Business for the employer payroll tax account and follow California new-hire reporting. Obtain an IRS EIN when required.

Real-world examples

Truck roaming in several cities

Your County EHS permit/plan-review path can stay central, but each city can add local business, vending, or location approval. A mobile vendor also checks CDTFA tax reporting and applicable HCD construction approval.

Weekly stop in unincorporated territory

A warehouse owner invites your truck every Friday. You still need the correct EHS permit and owner permission, plus a County zoning/event check. No general county business license does not mean the site is automatically approved.

Small packaged-food cart

A cart of qualifying sealed shelf-stable snacks and whole uncut fruit may fit the narrow 25-square-foot EHS exemption. Confirm that first, then check location and tax rules.

What if the permit path is not clear?

Send EHS the menu, unit type, equipment, commissary plan, and intended selling pattern and ask them to identify the permit category before you spend more money. If food safety is clear but the selling site is not, move to the city or County land-use office. For taxability use CDTFA; for a business name use the County Clerk. Keep each question with the agency that controls it.

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