Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Dearborn, MI

Dearborn maintains 139 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 Dearborn falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Food Truck Permits

Every food truck operating in Dearborn needs a license from the city clerk under Article VIIA, plus fire inspection, $1 million liability coverage, and annual renewal by April 30.

Key details: License issuer: City Clerk. Liability coverage: $1M per occurrence minimum. Fire inspection: Required before licensing. License expires: April 30 annually. Transferability: Non-transferable between trucks.

Operating a food truck in Dearborn without a license, or helping someone operate one, is unlawful and grounds for license denial, suspension, or revocation under §§ 12-251 and 12-256.

Vending Zones

Food trucks may not simply park and vend anywhere in Dearborn -- the city limits sales to designated city parks under a separate recreation permit, or to city-permitted block parties, on top of the general food truck license.

Key details: Approved parks: Lapeer, Hemlock, Ford Woods, Ford Field, Levagood, Crowley, Ten Eyck. Extra permit needed: Recreation food truck permit, beyond city license. Park hours: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.. Rental fee tiers: Daily, weekly, weekend, monthly, season, premium. License alone: Does not guarantee any location.

Vending outside an approved park permit or block party violates Sec. 12-255 and can trigger license suspension or revocation under Sec. 12-256, plus the Code's general penalty: up to a $500 fine and 93 days in jail per Sec. 1-9.

Compared to other cities, Dearborn takes a harder line on vending zones. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Sidewalk & Mobile Vending

Dearborn requires anyone selling food, beverages, goods or merchandise on a public street or sidewalk from a stand or vehicle to hold a vendor's license from the city clerk under Article VII of Chapter 12. The article expressly does not cover mobile food trucks, which are licensed separately.

Key details: License required from: City clerk, Sec. 12-232. Vendor/solicitor license fee: $50.00 per Sec. 12-6. Vendor vehicle license fee: $150.00 per Sec. 12-6. License expires: December 1 each year. Liability insurance minimum: $100,000.00.

A license may be suspended or revoked for fraud in the application, misrepresentation while vending, violating license conditions, creating a public nuisance or safety danger, a moral-turpitude conviction while licensed, or unresolved state health department violations, with written notice of the action (Sec. 12-241). A revoked or suspended vendor may appeal by filing written notice with the city council (Sec. 12-242). Because Article VII sets no separate fine, an unlicensed vendor is punished under the Code's general penalty, Sec. 1-9: a fine up to $500.00, up to 93 days in jail, or both, with each day of continued violation a new offense.

Compared to other cities, Dearborn takes a harder line on sidewalk & mobile vending. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Dearborn is tougher than many cities when it comes to food trucks & mobile vendors. Out of the 3 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Dearborn, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

All of the above reflects Dearborn's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.