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Food Truck Guide

Overview

All food trucks operating within the City of Grand Rapids must be licensed through the Office of the City Clerk.

Apply for a Mobile Food Vendor Truck, Trailer, or Concession License

In addition to your license, you need a permit! There are several types of permits depending on the location of your operation. Private property would be a parking lot or a business property, whereas public property would include parks, streets, and City-owned parking lots.

City Code has specific requirements that must be satisfied in order to receive and maintain a food truck permit in the city. Required documents for permitting include:

  • Providing proof of Kent County Health Department approval

  • Providing proof of Clerk's Office Business License for Mobile Food Vending

  • A site plan showing the location of the truck, as well as any seating, refuse areas, signage, or any other component relevant to the operation

  • Details of the mobile food vending unit, including the type, dimensions, elevation drawings or photos, and details of any furniture, tent or other physical features associated with the food truck

  • Property Owner written authorization to park the truck on their property or in front of their business (if applicable) 

Site Plan: show the truck's distance to lot lines and to the building, location of trash/recycling bins, location of any signage, and location of any structures or seating areas. Please include measurements of the distance from one object to the next. Pro Tip!: A site plan should be provided with any permit application with the City to ensure all departments are able to review for compliance.

Example of a Site Plan for a Food truck permit

If you are looking to operate your food tuck on private property, you will need a permit! Below will break down the two (2) types of Food Truck permitting available to you, though you are encouraged to contact the Planning Department with your questions.

Private Property Event Permit: Food Trucks operating less than 90 days per calendar year (seasonal) 

Qualified Review: Food Trucks operating permanently on private property (year-round) 

Apply for a Private Property Food Truck

Qualified Review Application

If you are looking to operate your food truck at a City Park, you will need a permit! Each park will have different hours of operation depending on the location. Contact the Parks Department for the City Park Food Truck permit. 

City Park Food Truck Permit: Food Trucks operating on City Park Property

Apply for a City Park Food Truck Permit

If you are looking to operate your food truck at a City Parking Meter, you will need a permit! Any available parking meter can be utilized through the Meter Reservation Program. Please contact the Mobile GR Department with your questions.

Meter Reservation: Food Trucks operating temporarily at a City parking meter

Reserve a Parking Meter

If you are looking to operate your food truck as part of a greater Special Event, you are already covered! If an event has already obtained a Special Event Permit but you were not included, and the event organizer supports your inclusion at the event, please contact the Office of Special Events to be added to the event application.

Special Event Permit: Food Trucks operating as part of a Special Event are generally included on the Special Event Permit for a specific event

Apply for a Special Event Permit