Aurora's Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles food trucks & mobile vendors a little differently. In Aurora, Colorado, there are 3 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Food Truck Permits

Aurora, Colorado requires mobile food trucks to hold both a city business license and a state mobile retail food license, and operate only 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Key details: Hours allowed: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.. Licenses required: City business + state mobile food license. Restaurant separation: 175 feet while open. Home separation: 50 feet from single-family homes. City property: Prohibited, except public right-of-way.

Operating without both licenses, outside 7 a.m.-10 p.m. hours, within the restaurant or residential separation distances without written permission, on City property, or without required owner/school permission on file can result in citation and permit denial or revocation.

Vending Zones

Aurora food trucks must stay 175 feet from open restaurants and 50 feet from single-family homes, and follow separate rules for private lots, schools, and public right-of-way.

Key details: Restaurant separation: 175 feet while open. Home separation: 50 feet from single-family lot line. Hours: 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.. Licenses required: Aurora business + state mobile food license. City property: Not allowed unless separately authorized.

Operating without the required separation distance, business license, or state mobile retail food service license is an enforceable UDO violation; the City can also cite unauthorized vending on City property or right-of-way misuse.

Sidewalk & Mobile Vending

Mobile food trucks and sidewalk vendors in Aurora, Colorado need a city business license plus a state mobile retail food license, and can serve customers only from the curb or an adjacent sidewalk while parked in the public right-of-way.

Key details: Licenses required: Aurora business license + state food license. Hours (mobile food truck): 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.. Restaurant separation: 175 feet minimum. Right-of-way service point: Sidewalk or curbside only. Non-mobile stands: Need a special use permit too.

Operating without the required Aurora business license or state mobile retail food license, vending closer than 175 feet to an open restaurant without written permission, serving from anywhere but the sidewalk or curbside while in the right-of-way, or operating outside the 7 a.m.-10 p.m. window is unlawful under UDO § 146-3.3.6.K.

The Bottom Line

Aurora's food trucks & mobile vendors rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Aurora is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Aurora can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.