How Cheyenne Handles Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: A Practical Guide
Cheyenne maintains 89 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with food trucks & mobile vendors. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Cheyenne falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Vending Zones
Cheyenne food trucks and stands can vend on sidewalks with adjacent-owner consent, in city parks by permit, or on private property, but not within 100 feet of a restaurant entrance.
Key details: Restaurant buffer: 100 feet from entrance. Fire hydrant buffer: 15 feet. Crosswalk/curb-load buffer: 10 feet. Downtown parking permit: $60 per month. Right-of-way overnight limit: 3:00 a.m.–5:00 a.m. banned.
Operating without the required consent, permit, or clearance distance is a misdemeanor under the Chapter 1.24.010 general penalty: up to a $750 fine, up to six months in jail, or both, with each day a separate offense.
Food Truck Permits
Cheyenne requires mobile food trucks, food stands, pushcarts, and mobile food units to get a city clerk business license, backed by a state food service permit and sales tax permit.
Key details: Annual license fee: $75 per unit. 14-day license fee: $50 per unit. Nonprofit annual fee: $25 per unit. Issuing office: City clerk. Overnight street parking: Barred 3–5 a.m..
Operating without the required license or permit is a misdemeanor under the city's general penalty provision (City Code 8.40.180), with each day of violation a separate offense; license holders can also face suspension or revocation under Chapter 5.04.
Sidewalk & Mobile Vending
Cheyenne lets food stands and pushcarts sell from public sidewalks only with the adjacent business owner's written consent, and bans setups that block sidewalk traffic or sit near hydrants, crosswalks, and transit stops.
Key details: License required: City clerk business license, $75/year. Consent needed: Written consent from adjacent business owner. Hydrant buffer: 15 feet from any fire hydrant. Restaurant buffer: 100 feet from restaurant entrance. Overnight limit: No parking on ROW 3-5 a.m..
Operating without the required license or violating chapter 8.40's placement and consent rules is a misdemeanor under the general penalty provision; each day of violation is a separate offense.
The Bottom Line
Cheyenne'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 Cheyenne is broadly strict or permissive.
These rules come from Cheyenne's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.