Santa Clara County Vendor Permit Fee Exemptions for Veterans

Two county ordinances waive permit fees for veterans who sell goods, and they cite different State laws. Food permits. County Code section B11-50(c), amended November 4, 2025, exempts from the Environmental Health food and swimming pool permit fees a veteran "conducting regulated activity" who qualifies for the business license fee exemption in Business and Professions Code section 16102. File an affidavit with the Director of Environmental Health. Section 16102 covers any member who received an honorable discharge or a release from active duty under honorable conditions, so no rating or war service is needed. Peddler and solicitor permits. The Sheriff issues these, and County Code section B35-5(q) exempts from the permit fee only "veterans qualifying for the exemption, as set forth in California Business and Professions Code Sections 16001 and 16001.5". Those two sections are the old disabled wartime exemptions: they cover a veteran of named wars (16001.5 covers service from June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955 or from August 5, 1964) who "is physically unable to obtain a livelihood by manual labor". The broader exemptions are State law too and bind the county: section 16102 says "the board of supervisors shall issue" the license without cost to any veteran discharged under honorable conditions, and section 16001.7 exempts any honorably discharged California resident; see the California entry. A veteran who is not disabled should cite them when the Sheriff asks for the fee. Neither ordinance waives the permit itself, an inspection, or a city's own rules inside city limits.