City Cracking Down on Unpermitted Food Vending
The City of San Rafael is ramping up enforcement of unpermitted food vending to address public health and safety concerns. The City is working closely with County of Marin Environmental Health Services, the agency responsible for licensing and regulating food vendors throughout Marin.
Unpermitted food vending operates outside health and safety regulations and creates an uneven playing field for businesses that follow the rules. The City is prioritizing a fair and safe approach—combining enforcement with education and support for vendors to become permitted.
What’s happening:
- The San Rafael Police Department is regularly patrolling high-activity areas with Spanish-speaking officers.
- Officers will distribute information on how to obtain proper permits while addressing illegal vending activity.
These efforts are part of a broader City goal to foster fair, safe, and legal business practices—while exploring longer-term solutions that promote economic opportunity for food vendors.