Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Sandy, UT

Sandy maintains 131 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 Sandy falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Vending Zones

Sandy allows mobile food trucks and street vendors only in commercial and industrial land use areas, plus limited public right-of-way spots the City approves in writing. Vendors need a Sandy business license, and strict distance buffers keep carts away from hydrants, crosswalks, schools and each other.

Key details: Governing section: Sandy City Code § 21-11-19. Where allowed: Commercial/industrial zones; ROW needs City OK. School buffer: 1,000 ft from K-12, 7am-4pm school days. Hydrant/crosswalk buffer: 10 feet. Intersection buffer: 60 feet.

Operating without the required Sandy City business license, or vending inside the prohibited buffer zones (hydrants, crosswalks, schools during school hours, other vendors), violates § 21-11-19. Vending in a public park or OS Zone without Community Development Director authorization, exceeding the 12-hour single-location limit, running a drive-thru, or discharging waste into the storm drain system are also code violations subject to license suspension or revocation under the City's general licensing enforcement provisions.

Sidewalk & Mobile Vending

Sandy City caps street vendor carts at 3.5 feet wide by 8 feet long, requires vendors to keep at least a four-foot clear sidewalk path, and bars carts within ten feet of hydrants, curb cuts, transit stops, or handicap access ramps.

Key details: Min clear sidewalk width: 4 feet. Max cart size: 3.5 ft wide x 8 ft long. Max cart height (no canopy): 5 feet. Canopy clearance: 7 to 10 feet above sidewalk. Buffer from hydrants/ramps/stops: 10 feet.

Blocking the required four-foot sidewalk clearance, exceeding cart size or canopy height limits, or setting up within the ten-foot buffers from hydrants, transit stops, access ramps, curb cuts, storm drains, or other vendors violates Section 21-11-19. Enforcement runs through Sandy's business license process, and violations are grounds for suspension or revocation of the license as a Class B misdemeanor.

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

Food Truck Permits

Sandy requires every mobile food truck or cart to hold a Sandy City business license, carry general liability insurance, and display the license, fire inspection certificate, and health department food truck permit on the vehicle before operating anywhere in the city.

Key details: License required: Sandy City business license. Liability insurance minimum: $500,000 per occurrence. Cancellation notice: 30 days written notice. Max stay per location: 12 hours in 24 hours. Operating hours: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m..

Operating without a Sandy City business license, without the required insurance certificate on public property, or without displaying the license, fire inspection certificate, and health department permit on the vehicle violates Section 21-11-19. The section makes noncompliance a Class B misdemeanor and grounds for suspension or revocation of the business license under Title 15.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Sandy actively enforces its food truck permits requirements.

The Bottom Line

Sandy 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 Sandy, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

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