How it works
This program is for self-contained mobile vending operators who wish to sell merchandise or operate in parks officially designated parking spaces. Vending of food, equipment rentals, or merchandise sales are welcome. Ensure you meet the conditions below, then find a location where vending is allowed. Pay for your permit using Parking Kitty and set up in an authorized location, and you're good to go!
Make sure you qualify
Self-contained mobile vendors must meet all PP&R permit requirements and have all applicable licenses, permits, and certificates, which may include, but are not limited to:
- State of Oregon business license
- City of Portland business tax compliance certificate
- Certificate of commercial liability insurance, including an additional insured endorsement that names the City of Portland as additional insured
- Workers' compensation insurance (exception for sole operator)
- A plan to remove waste. Upon request, permittees must produce a written plan to address waste or trash in the park attributable to their commercial activities.
- For food vendors, meet all Multnomah County food cart requirements
A Park Ranger or PP&R staff member may request to review applicable licenses and permits. Failure to provide these may result in a warning, citation, or exclusion.
Vending unit requirements
- The unit must be a licensed motorized vehicle or a tow-behind trailer that remains connected to a licensed motorized vehicle. Push-carts and non-motorized carts not hitched to a vehicle are not allowed under this program. Contact the Customer Service Center for options.
- Set up of seating, equipment, signs, or other items in a park or parking area is not allowed. If you need these, contact the Customer Service Center for options. Traffic cones are allowed within the paid and occupied designated parking area.
- The units must be in officially designated parking spaces.
Find a vending location
Paying for a permit does not reserve or guarantee a parking spot. However, you can reserve spots with a separate special use permit from the Customer Service Center. No parking or vending is allowed after park closure hours.
Locations may be restricted from time-to-time due to events or prior commercial use permit applications and rates may update. Look for notices on the Parking Kitty payment app.
| Vending is Allowed In The Parking Areas of These Parks | Parking Kitty Zone - Vending | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Cathedral Park | 1415 | $5/day |
| Chimney Park | 1206 | $5/day |
| Clinton Park | 1209 | $5/day |
| Columbia Children's Arboretum | 1210 | $5/day |
| Creston Park | 1215 | $5/day |
| Duniway Park | 1218 | $5/day |
| East Holladay Park | 1228 | $5/day |
| Ed Benedict Park | 1231 | $5/day |
| Forest Park | 1234 | $5/day |
| Foster Floodplain | 1264 | $5/day |
| Fulton Park | 1266 | $5/day |
| Gabriel Park (Not the Community Center parking lot) | 1267 | $5/day |
| Glenhaven Park | 1272 | $5/day |
| Harney Park | 1275 | $5/day |
| Kelley Point Park | 1293 | $5/day |
| Knott Park | 1296 | $5/day |
| Lents Park | 1303 | $5/day |
| Luuwit View Park | 1307 | $5/day |
| Marquam Nature Park | 1332 | $5/day |
| Mt Tabor Park | 1338 | $5/day |
| Multnomah Arts Center - Lot C Only | 1491 | $10/day |
| Northgate Park | 1361 | $5/day |
| Oaks Bottom | 1362 | $5/day |
| Parklane Park | 1363 | $5/day |
| Pier Park | 1364 | $5/day |
| Pittock Acres Park | 1368 | $40/day |
| Portland Heights Park | 1369 | $5/day |
| Powell Butte | 1373 | $5/day |
| Sellwood Park | 1382 | $5/day |
| Sellwood Riverfront Park | 1383 | $5/day |
| Springwater Corridor | 1384 | $5/day |
| SW Terwilliger Blvd Parkway | 1387 | $5/day |
| Thomas Cully Park - North half of the lot only. | 1398 | $5/day |
| Ventura Park | 1401 | $5/day |
| Westmoreland Park | 1404 | $5/day |
| Whitaker Ponds Natural Area | 1409 | $5/day |
| Waterfront Park Hawthorne Bridge Lot | 1412 | $13/day |
| Waterfront Park Morrison Bridge Lot | 1413 | $12/day |
| Waterfront Park J Lot | 1414 | $10/day |
| Willamette Park | 1448 | $10/day |
| Washington Park (Sherwood Blvd, Washington Way, and Lewis and Clark Circle only) | 444 | $40/day |
How to pay
Simply download the app on your smart device with the link below or visit the Parking Kitty Website to pay from a browser.
Enter the zone number where you're vending, agree to the terms and conditions, and you're all set for the day! Reminders:
- Pay for each space taken
- Pay for each park, each day
- Pay using the license plate on the vehicle
Vendors must follow all Park rules, city code Title 20.
Other types of commercial use and vending permits
For more information on other types of vending or permits in parks, contact the Customer Service Center.