Choosing A Location For Your Food Truck
The City of Boston encourages food vendors to pick the right spot to vend. Vendors can choose from locations on the public way, on private property, or on special properties.
Vending on the Public Way
Food trucks with the proper permits from the ISD and Fire departments as well as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will be eligible to obtain a food truck permit through Public Works to vend in the City of Boston. With the Food Truck permit, vendors will be eligible to apply for a food truck license.
The City of Boston has pre-approved locations that are favorable for Food Trucks which are looking to vend on public space. Food truck operators can apply for a site license to vend at these specific locations and may apply for and hold more than one site license.
**The first round of applicants have been placed for 2011. Please review the 'List of Approved Public Vending Locations' for site availability. We encourage new applicants to submit Site License applications to fill those vacancies noted in the list.
Apply for Approved Public Vending Locations
List of Approved Public Vending Locations
Map of Approved Public Vending Locations
Vendors are welcome to apply for sites not listed in the pre-approved locations selected by the City. These sites will, however, be subject to an additional approval and verification process.
Propose a Public Vending Location
To Acquire Site Licenses For Approved Vending Locations
Once a vendor's site license has been approved, they must do the following for each approved site:
Provide a certificate of insurance listing the "City of Boston" as additionally insured for $1,000,000 for each occurance and list each approved location.
Provide proof that a registered letter has been sent to the building management/property owners within 100 feet of the site which the operator has been granted approval to vend.
Provide proof that a registered letter has been sent to the business owner(s) in front of the site which the operator has been granted approval to vend.
Provide customers with paper napkins with company name and/or logo imprinted on them.
Community Outreach: Please contact other businesses in the building outside of which you will be vending. Please try to ensure that your arrival is not a surprise to the businesses and residential community you plan to serve. The city recommends that you flyer those who will be your abutters to let them know you will be joining their community.
To Pick Up Site Licenses For Approved Vending Locations
Ten business days after the mailing of your registered letter, please call Public Works to confirm that no registered complaints have been submitted. In the absence of such complaints, you may proceed to deliver your check in person, to the office of Public Works, and receive your site license.
