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:

• Approval from the Kent County Health Department
• Proof of Clerk's Office Business License for Mobile Food Vending
• A site plan and details of the mobile food vending unit.  
• Written authorization from property owners confirming intention to park the truck on their property or in front of their business (if applicable)

Site Plan:

• Must show the location of the truck, as well as seating, refuse areas, signage and all elements relevant to the operation. Include the truck's distance to lot lines and building structures, location of trash/recycling bins, location of signage, and location of structures or seating areas. 
• Please include measurements of the distance from one object to the next. 
• 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

Pro Tip: A site plan should be provided with any permit application from the City to ensure all departments are able to review for compliance.

Vendors are required to obtain a permit in order to operate in a City Park. Every City park has different hours of operation. Contact the Parks Department for the City Park Food Truck permit. 

Apply for a City Park Food Truck Permit

Grand Rapids-licensed mobile food businesses can apply for a temporary permit to operate in public rights-of-way outside the city’s designated food truck locations when a public entity requests the service.

To apply, the food truck must submit a request through Mobile GR’s Parking Meter Reservation program and provide:

• The business name and City Clerk-issued mobile food business license number
• A written, signed request from the public entity requesting food truck service
• The requested date and service hours
• The service address and applicable parking meter numbers
• The public entity’s contact information
• The estimated number of people expected to be served

Temporary Permit Requirements

A temporary permit allows a licensed Grand Rapids food truck to serve at an approved, specifically requested event or location outside the city’s normal designated vending areas, subject to the city’s time, reservation, and documentation requirements. Food trucks operating under a temporary permit must:

• Follow all applicable Grand Rapids mobile food business operating requirements
• Comply with all state and local laws
• Have documentation showing that a public entity specifically requested their service outside a designated food truck zone
• Operate only between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
• Limit service to no more than four hours
• Obtain a meter reservation through Mobile GR

Downtown Food Truck Map

Reserve a Parking Meter

Vendors operating a food truck as part of a City of Grand Rapids Special Event are already covered through the Special Events Permit. If an event has already obtained a Special Event Permit but a vendor was not included, and the event organizer supports their 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