Mobile Food Vending
Mobile Vending is a great way for food and beverage entrepreneurs to bring their concept to market quickly, as well as provide a wide array of choices to customers and enliven city streets and sidewalks.
Below you will find information on mobile food vending in the City of Vancouver. This includes required licenses and permits, mobile vending in the public right-of-way, mobile vending at special events and in public plazas, and contact information for City staff that can answer your questions.
| Desired location | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sidewalk vending in the Public Right of Way (ROW) | Mobile Food Unit in the Public Right of Way (ROW) | Mobile Food Unit on Private Property — Temporary | Mobile Food Unit on Private Property — Permanent | Mobile Food Unit in Parks — Special Event Spaces |
| A pushcart that locates on the public sidewalk. | A truck/trailer that locates in the public right of way. | A cart or truck/trailer that locates on private property and leaves the site daily. | A cart or truck/trailer that locates on private property and does not leave the site daily. | A truck/trailer that locates in Esther Short Park or other City event space. |
| Approvals/Permits Required (listed in the order they should be applied for) | ||||
| 1. Clark County Health Permit: Fee varies 2. City Business License: Fee varies. 3. City Food Vendor’s License: $25 4. City Street Use Permit: $28 *Note: WA State Department of Labor & Industries approval is not required for push carts | 1. State Department of Labor & Industries Approval: $128.40 *Note: this process can take several months. 2. Clark County Health Permit: Fee varies 3. City Business License: Fee varies. 4. City Food Vendor’s License: $25 5. City Street Use Permit: $28 | 1. State Department of Labor & Industries Approval: $128.40 *Note: this process can take several months. 2. Clark County Health Permit: fee varies 3. City Business License: Fee varies. 4. City Food Vendor’s License: $25 | *Note: The City requires a Site Plan Review approval (Type I) for any new permanent food truck site on private property. 1. State Department of Labor & Industries Approval: $128.40 *Note: this process can take several months. 2. Clark County Health Permit: Fee varies 3. City Business License: Fee varies. 4. City Food Vendor’s License: $25 | 1. State Department of Labor & Industries Approval: $128.40 *Note: this process can take several months. 2. Clark County Health Permit: Fee varies 3. City Business License: Fee varies. 4. City Food Vendor’s License: $25 5. City Parks Special Event Space Food Cart Permit: Fee per space per month |
Required Permits
City Business License
Each business operating in the City of Vancouver is required to hold a city business license, in addition to any state-required licenses. The city partners with the Washington State Department of Revenue (DOR) and Business Licensing Service (BLS) for the administration of its new and renewing city business licenses.
For more information and instructions on how to apply for a city business license: DOR BLS’s Vancouver website
Food Vendor Special License
Each mobile food vendor operating in the City of Vancouver is also required to hold a city food vendor special license issued by the city’s Finance Department.
To apply, complete and return the Special Licenses Application along with the required fee.
Home Occupation Permit
A mobile food business addressed from a residence located in Vancouver city limits must comply with the city’s home occupation requirements and may be required to hold a city Home Occupation Permit.
For more information: cddplanning@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7803
Street Use Permit
Any mobile vending unit that operates in the public right-of-way is required to obtain a Street Use Permit.
Applications should be submitted to TrafficEngineering@cityofvancouver.us or at the customer service desk in the lobby of City Hall.
Clark County Public Health
All food businesses must get a license to operate a food establishment from Clark County Public Health.
Review Food Safety and Permitting Information.
Washington Department of Labor & Industries
Mobile food units are reviewed and inspected by the Washington Department of Labor & Industries to ensure they meet health and safety standards, and a state permit is posted on each truck.
Review requirements at Food Trucks & Trailers
Mobile Vending at Special Events and in Public Plazas
Special Event vending is approved through Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services. Interested parties should complete and submit a vendor interest form.
There is an annual submission deadline, please review Food Vendor Opportunities or contact covspecialevents@cityofvancouver.us.
Esther Short Park is considered an event venue, and mobile vending in or adjacent to the park is only allowed, as part of City-permitted special events. This includes the park, the immediately adjacent sidewalk, the street, and the far sidewalk.
Mobile Vending Pre-Application Meeting with City Staff
Requirements for mobile vendors differ depending on location and whether the unit is temporarily or permanently located in a given location. Prior to submitting permit and license applications, City staff will sit down with mobile vendors to help them understand what is required and how the process works.
For more information or to set up a meeting, please contact Krystal Sanchez at krystal.sanchez@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7820.