How many food trucks operate in Stanislaus County? What it takes to get a permit
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Stanislaus County permits more than 500 active mobile food facilities in 2025.
- Mobile vendors need business, health and site permits from cities like Modesto.
- Cities enforce location limits, safety rules and noise restrictions.
There are certain streets in Stanislaus County where, without needing to be named, residents know they can find a plethora of food trucks lined up ready to take their order.
Add to that the plazas specifically designed to host food trucks, the farmers markets and other events where these vendors sell, and the additional pieces of private property where trucks park and serve, and it seems there are limitless options and a wide variety of places on wheels to buy food.
Makes one wonder: How many food trucks and trailers are there in Stanislaus County?
“The (Stanislaus County Department of Environmental Resources) currently permits approximately 510 mobile food facilities,” said Karl Quinn, the department’s environmental health manager. “The number of facilities fluctuates.”
And as far as permitting goes, there are rules these vendors have to follow.
What does it take to get a food truck permit in Stanislaus County?
In Modesto, mobile food vendors need to apply for a permit through the city.
With the application, vendors must submit proof of a Stanislaus County food safety certification, copy of a government-issued photo identification, a copy of the California seller’s permit number issued by the Department of Tax and Fee Administration and a site plan.
The fee associated with the permit application for development plan review, is $580. It is around $12 to go through the online program to obtain a food safety certification — typically valid for three years. There is no charge for a California seller’s permit.
A city of Modesto business license and a health permit issued by the Stanislaus County Department of Environmental Resources are also required. Business licenses cost $75 plus a $100 deposit and a $4 fee. They expire annually on Dec. 31 and the charge is prorated based on the month the business is started.
There are four categories of health permits for mobile food vendors through Stanislaus County, and the costs range from $69 to $548 annually. If a facility does not pass an inspection for renewal, one free reinspection is conducted and then a fee is required for all subsequent reinspections.
Food trucks must operate on private property, on a paved or all-weather surface and not within any public right of way, according to the Modesto Community and Economic Development Department. There cannot be a need for parking other than what already exists at the site.
There cannot be interference with pedestrian and vehicular traffic and the site must be ADA accessible.
No permanent structures can be constructed at the site. Canopies smaller than 120 square feet can be used but must be removed at the end of each business day. No more than two small tables and 10 chairs can be used, and they must be removed at the end of each business day.
No signs, balloons, banners or flags can be displayed to promote the food truck/trailer/cart except those affixed to it. No outdoor music, amplified sound, horns or any other excessive noise is permitted.
Bathroom access must be provided within 200 feet of the mobile food facility.
The site must be continuously maintained to be free of weeds, litter, trash and debris and cannot adversely affect any adjacent property or its owners, occupants or the surrounding neighborhood.
Operational requirements are similar in Turlock.
A city of Turlock mobile facility permit is required and costs $900. With the permit, a site plan, Stanislaus County health permit, commissary form and a restroom facility form must be submitted. A $114 City of Turlock business license is also required.
This story was originally published August 12, 2025 at 2:30 PM.
.jpg)