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Research
You’ll need to research your property before you apply for permits. This section gives you the information you need to start.
One cart
Confirm location use
- On private property: First, contact our Zoning staff to determine if retail sales and service uses are allowed at your proposed location.
- Contact options:
- On the right-of-way (ex. street, sidewalks): Apply for a vending cart permit in the right-of-way.
- At City parks: Mobile Vending in Parks.
- Vending carts that drive around (like ice cream trucks)
- You don't need a permit from the City, but you must follow traffic rules:
- No unattended carts. Don't leave your cart for 30+ minutes or overnight on public property.
- Residential areas time limits. You can only vend for 10 minutes max on a block. After leaving a block, you can't return for 2 hours.
- You don't need a permit from the City, but you must follow traffic rules:
Approval for propane use
If your cart uses propane to heat food, you must get a permit from the Fire Bureau.
- Portland Fire & Rescue requires an annual propane permit.
- If your propane tank is greater than 25 gallons, you'll need a Hazardous Material Permit.
A-board signs
You will need to register your A-board sign.
Register your business
Oregon Food Handler Card
Food service workers are required to get a food handler card within 30 days of beginning work. Get your Oregon Food Handler Card.
Multnomah County Food Cart Requirements
All food carts (mobile food units) must be licensed by the Health Department. Meet Multnomah County food cart requirements.
Connecting to City sewer or water?
If yes, you will need plumbing permits for the fixtures inside your cart.
You'll need permits if you're setting up the site with utilities. Permits are required if you install or connect:
- Electrical service
- Plumbing or sewer lines
- Water lines
- Gas lines
Get commercial trade permits
🛑 Stop here (for one cart)!
The rest of these pages are for two or more carts on a property.
Researching your food cart pod project
Check your property
- Check if your property is zoned for retail and services.
- Find out if your proposed use will bring more people and traffic than before.
- If trips increase by 15% or more, you may need to upgrade sidewalks, streets, sewer or water lines, and add street trees.
- Check for existing water and sewer lines. If there isn't a dedicated sewer or water line for the property, you'll have to get those utilities and meters installed as part of your project.
- These improvements can add significant costs, so check before signing a lease.
Review utility and fire requirements
- If your food cart will be connected to City water or sewer or the property has two or more food carts, you must meet plumbing and waste management requirements.
- Understand fire safety standards, like spacing between carts and propane use.
Get the right forms
- Gather the forms and application materials you'll need. Understand all the permit application requirements.
Estimate fees
- Review the fee schedules to get a rough cost estimate.
At each step, we'll direct you to the right staff member to answer your questions and help you move forward.
Next step
Check property records. We'll show you how to find out if your property is zoned for retail and services. This is a key requirement for food cart pods.