Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Green Bay, WI

If you live in Green Bay 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. Green Bay has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of food trucks & mobile vendors, and some of them might surprise you.

Food Truck Permits

Green Bay bars any mobile food vendor from selling anywhere in the City without a license approved by the City Clerk, issued separately for each truck or cart and renewed every December 31. The Police Department vets every applicant, and can recommend denial for a disqualifying criminal record, a false statement, or being under 18, before the Clerk will issue the license.

Key details: Governing section: GBMC § 10-574. License expiration: December 31 every year. Transferability: Non-transferable; one license per vehicle. Application review: Police Department screens every applicant. Appeal window: 15 days to Protection and Policy Committee.

A licensee or vendor who breaks any provision of this article, or any rule or order issued under it, faces a forfeiture of $1.00 to $500.00 per offense under Section 10-579. Beyond the fine, the Common Council can independently suspend the license for 10 to 90 days or revoke it outright under Section 10-576 for a public-safety violation or for fraud or misrepresentation, on top of whatever forfeiture a court imposes.

Compared to other cities, Green Bay takes a harder line on food truck permits. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Vending Zones

Green Bay bars mobile food vendors from operating on public parks, playgrounds, schools, or libraries, from congested areas that impede public use, and within 500 feet of Bay Beach Amusement Park during a licensed event without the sponsor's permission.

Key details: Public property: no parks, playgrounds, schools, libraries. Private property: written owner permission required. Event buffer: 500 ft of Bay Beach Amusement Park. Sponsor permission: needed near licensed events. Penalty: $1–$500 forfeiture per offense.

A vendor who ignores these location limits violates Article XIV and faces a forfeiture of $1.00 to $500.00 per offense (Sec. 10-579), plus possible license suspension or revocation for 10 to 90 days (Sec. 10-576).

Sidewalk & Mobile Vending

Green Bay lets licensed mobile food vendors sell in the public right-of-way, but only from the curbside of the vehicle, and only between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. (3 a.m. downtown).

Key details: Vending hours: 6 a.m.–10 p.m. citywide. Downtown District hours: 6 a.m.–3 a.m.. Sales location: curbside of vehicle only. License: required from City Clerk annually. Penalty: $1–$500 forfeiture per offense.

Violating the license or conduct rules under Article XIV draws a forfeiture of $1.00 to $500.00 per offense (Sec. 10-579), and the Common Council may suspend or revoke the license for 10 to 90 days (Sec. 10-576).

The Bottom Line

Green Bay'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 Green Bay is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Green Bay's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.