Street and Sidewalk Vending Program

Our street and sidewalk vending program allows businesses and entrepreneurs to operate mobile vending businesses on our streets and sidewalks. These vending opportunities help encourage walking, add vitality to our streets and sidewalks, and promote local economic development. 

Vending in the curb space/parking lane

Two people waiting to order from a food truck

Designated Food-Vehicle Zone: our designated Food-Vehicle Zones are most commonly located in the curb space, often a parking space, adjacent to the sidewalk. Vendors can apply to locate in an existing designated Food-Vehicle zone or may propose a new Food-Vehicle Zone location. The permit specifies the location, day(s), and time when the vending is allowed.

Multiple people waiting for their orders from a food truck

Temporary Curb Space Activity: This permit allows food vehicle vending in the curb space in conjunction with a special event located on either private property abutting the curb space or in a public place and is intended for one-time event.

Stadium vending

Sports fans outside of the stadium with vendors selling food and other merchandise to passersby.

Stadium and event center vending includes selling goods, things, services, food, or nonalcoholic beverages of any kind from a temporary display table, tent, vending cart, or food vehicle during event days at a specific site in the authorized Stadium Event Vending area. Only two vending carts on a sidewalk are allowed per block face. Vending of food from a food vehicle is allowed at a specific site on a public plaza

Route vending

An adult and children purchasing drinks from a bicycle-drawn coffee cart with a large umbrella shading it.

Mobile vending of food (specifically those that are exempt from a King County Health Department Mobile Food Unit permit) is allowed in a public place on a mobile route. Some of the acceptable types of food include popcorn, ice cream, cotton candy, slushies, corn on the cob, roasted nuts, ready-to-eat food, and hot beverages. Most mobile food vending activities in the right-of-way require permits from the King County Health Department as well as additional permits; route vending, however, does not require a King County Health Department Mobile Food Unit permit. Please review this list of health-permit exempt food from the King County Public Health website.

First Amendment Vending

Two campaign workers with a table of informational literature about their candidate or ballot issue.

Vending of merchandise by a nonprofit organization in which the organization’s political, religious, sociological, or ideological message is inextricably intertwined is allowed in our specifically designated sites.

Applying for a permit

Vending in public spaces requires more than just a Street Use permit. You may find it helpful to review our Vending in the Public Right-of-Way info sheet before applying for your Street Use permit.

Please also review our Vending Fee Schedule to learn about fees associated with our vending permits.

Note: there are also insurance requirements associated with permitting of vending activities. To learn more about these requirements, please see CAM 2102.

Apply for a Vending Permit

Transportation

Greg Spotts, Director
Address: 700 5th Ave, Suite 3800, Seattle, WA, 98104
Mailing Address: PO Box 34996, Seattle, WA, 98124-4996
Phone: (206) 684-7623
684-Road@seattle.gov

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The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is on a mission to deliver a transportation system that provides safe and affordable access to places and opportunities for everyone as we work to achieve our vision of Seattle as a thriving, equitable community powered by dependable transportation.