Santa Rosa zoning administrator approves mobile food vending at 500 Sebastopol Road

Zoning Administrator McKay approved a minor conditional use permit on May 17, 2025, to allow two rotating mobile food vendors and an outdoor seating area at 500 Sebastopol Road in Santa Rosa.

Staff presented the proposal as a mobile food vending facility to be located in the front parking lot adjacent to 2970 Santa Rosa Avenue (site address corrected to 500 Sebastopol Road). "My name is Sachinor Bisla, and the project before you today is a mobile food vending facility at 500 Sebastopol Road," said Sachinor Bisla, a project planner with the Planning and Economic Development Department. Bisla said the plan places both trucks in a single marked space that they will rotate: one vendor will operate from about 5 a.m. to 11 a.m., and the other from about 3 p.m. to midnight. The site plan shows two parking spaces for the trucks, an adjacent table-and-chair area, and bins for compost, recycling and garbage.

Staff said the site is zoned general commercial and designated retail and business services in the general plan, and that the use is supported by those designations. The department concluded the proposal is categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act as a minor, temporary use of land with no permanent environmental effects. "There are no unresolved issues as a result of staff review," Bisla said, and staff recommended approval after the applicant accepted the conditions of approval. No public comment was received on the item.

McKay said the use is appropriate for the area and noted the project's fit with local goals to encourage small and cultural businesses in Roseland. "Generally, this is a very appropriate use for this area," McKay said, and the zoning administrator approved the minor conditional use permit. The decision is final unless an appeal is filed with the Planning and Economic Development Department within 10 calendar days; for this item the appeal deadline is Tuesday, 05/27/2025.

Staff contact information for the project was provided at the hearing for anyone seeking more details or filing an appeal.