Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Erie, PA

If you live in Erie or are thinking about moving there, food trucks & mobile vendors are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Erie has 2 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of food trucks & mobile vendors, and some of them might surprise you.

Sidewalk & Mobile Vending

Anyone selling food, beverages or merchandise from a stand or vehicle on Erie's public streets or sidewalks must hold a vendor license from the Bureau of Licensing before operating, per Codified Ordinances § 313.02.

Key details: License required: Codified Ordinances § 313.02. Application fee: $200 to Bureau of Licensing. Insurance minimum: $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate. License term: Jan 1 to Dec 31 annually. QOL fine: $100 (QOL-27/QOL-28).

Section 313.05 bars vendors from storing or leaving a stand overnight on any street or sidewalk, parking a vending vehicle outside a lawful parking place, leaving trash or refuse behind after sales, sounding loud devices, loudspeakers or amplifiers to attract customers, or vending without the required insurance. A summary-offense conviction under § 313.99 carries a fine of not more than $300 or imprisonment of not more than 90 days, or both. The City's Quality of Life Ticketing Program separately tickets vending-license violations: QOL-27 (violating vending license terms) and QOL-28 (operating a food cart without license, permit or inspection) each carry a $100 civil penalty.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Erie actively enforces its sidewalk & mobile vending requirements.

Food Truck Permits

Anyone selling food or beverages from a stand or vehicle on Erie's streets or sidewalks needs a peddler/vendor license from the Bureau of Licensing before setting up shop. The $200 application requires a health certification and $1 million/$2 million liability insurance, and operating as an unlicensed mobile vendor draws its own $100 Quality-of-Life ticket.

Key details: License required from: City of Erie Bureau of Licensing. Application fee: $200; waived for farmers and nonprofits. Insurance minimum: $1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate. Health check: Erie County Health Dept certification required. License term: January 1 through December 31 each year.

Vending without a license is both a summary offense under § 313.99, punishable by up to a $300 fine or 90 days in jail, and a Quality-of-Life ticket, QOL-29, carrying its own $100 fine under Article 1129. Operating a food cart while any part of it is inoperable is QOL-28, also $100. Leaving a stand overnight on a street or sidewalk, or vending without the required insurance, violates § 313.05 and can put the license itself at risk.

This is one of the stricter rules in Erie's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

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

Keep in mind that Erie 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.