A side channel blower for a vehicle heater includes a blower housing area (14) with a delivery channel (18), which extends in a ring-shaped pattern around a central axis (A) and is open on an axial side (16). A motor housing area (26) integral with the blower housing area (14) accommodates an electric drive motor (30) with a drive shaft (36). A first delivery wheel covers the delivery channel on a first axial side of the blower housing area and is carried at a first end of the drive shaft. A control device housing area is integral with the blower housing area or/and the motor housing area and is provided with a circumferential wall and with a bottom wall and with an opening located opposite the bottom wall. A partial area of the bottom wall of the control device housing area is formed by the motor housing area.