Calistoga Municipal Code Art. V Mobile Food Vending Vehicles

In addition to the general provisions provided in Article I of this chapter, the following additional conditions and regulations shall apply to mobile food vendors operating from a mobile food vending vehicle:

A. The vendor permit and health permit shall at all times be displayed conspicuously on the mobile food vending vehicle(s).

B. Mobile food vending vehicles must comply with the lighting standards of CMC § 17.36.090(D), requiring that lighting be shielded so as not to shine or create glare on any adjacent property.

C. Mobile food vendors operating from a mobile food vending vehicle shall maintain compliance with all applicable provisions of the California Health and Safety Code, California Retail Food Code, and the Calistoga Municipal Code. Mobile food vendors shall not refuel generators or other gas-powered equipment near combustible brush or vegetation and shall ensure that they operate in locations where there is a minimum of 25 feet of clearance from combustible brush or vegetation in order to maintain adequate fire safety. Cooking or use of any appliance with an open flame outside of a vehicle is prohibited. All electrical appliances, cords, and fixtures used by a mobile food vendor shall be in good repair and listed for exterior use.

D. The owners of any mobile food vending vehicle operating in the City shall be deemed responsible for ensuring that the vendor obtains all necessary licenses and permits required for the service of food and beverages, including all required permits from the County Environmental Health Division. The mobile vending vehicle must be in compliance with applicable motor vehicle laws, and the operator must have the appropriate license classification for operating such vehicle.

E. Mobile food vendors shall provide trash, recycling, and compost receptacles for customer use on site.

(Ord. 775 § 2 (Exh. A), 2025)

In addition to the requirements outlined in CMC § 5.10.100, mobile food vendors shall adhere to the following additional requirements:

A. Mobile food vending vehicles may conduct vending on private property with written permission from the property owner in the community commercial (CC) and light industrial (I) zoning districts only.

B. Mobile food vending vehicles may conduct vending within the public right-of-way in community commercial (CC) and light industrial (I) zoning districts. However, this use is prohibited along the entire length of Brannan Street, Wappo Avenue, and Washington Street, from the intersection of Lincoln Avenue to Earl Street.

C. Mobile food vendors are prohibited from vending in the public right-of-way abutting a parcel with residential occupancy.

D. Mobile food vending vehicles may also conduct vending in the following specifically designated locations within the public (P) district, except when the designated location is within 200 feet of a special event operating with a permit issued by the City:

1. Logvy Park at 1401 N Oak Street, Calistoga, CA 94515, in the rear of the parking lot only.

2. Fairgrounds at 1435 N Oak Street, Calistoga, CA 94515, at the main entrance only.

3. Fairgrounds at 2025 Grant Street, Calistoga, CA 94515, on the entrance driveway only.

(Ord. 775 § 2 (Exh. A), 2025)

Operating hours for mobile food vendors in commercial zones shall be limited to the hours between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Operating hours for mobile food vendors in all other zones shall be limited to the hours between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Operation at other times is prohibited unless exempt under CMC § 5.10.100. Vending for each mobile food vending vehicle shall be limited to a maximum period of eight hours per day per location, including setup and cleanup.

(Ord. 775 § 2 (Exh. A), 2025)

The City shall have the authority to inspect a mobile food vending vehicle during the facility's hours of operation and at other reasonable times for the purpose of determining compliance with this chapter. The City may recover the costs of investigation and enforcement of this section, subject to any limitations in this chapter on fines issuable to mobile food vendors.

(Ord. 775 § 2 (Exh. A), 2025)

For mobile food vendors operating a mobile food vending vehicle, permit issuance shall be limited to three in any calendar year. In the event that more than one mobile food vendor operating a mobile food vending vehicle is interested in a specific vending location, the City will conduct a lottery to select a vendor for the specific location.

(Ord. 775 § 2 (Exh. A), 2025)