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Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Buffalo, NY (2026)

3 verified food trucks & mobile vendors rules for Buffalo, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Food Truck Permits

Mobile food vehicles (food trucks) in Buffalo must obtain a license from the Department of Permit and Inspection Services. Initial application fee is $800 (includes first-year license); annual renewal is $500.

Food Trucks: Food Truck Permits

Some Restrictions

Buffalo City Code §§ 316-51 through 316-57

It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a mobile food vehicle within the public rights-of-way or on public property within the City of Buffalo without first having obtained a valid mobile food vending license as prescribed in this article. It shall be unlawful for a mobile food vehicle vendor to park, stand, or operate in a location which is adjacent to or within a one-hundred-foot radi...

Vending Zones

Buffalo designates a Special Downtown Vending District where vendors may purchase annual site licenses ($350), temporary site licenses ($52.50), or daily site licenses ($25); specialty food sites are priced at $9.80 per square foot.

Food Trucks: Vending Zones

Some Restrictions

Buffalo City Code § 316-50

Chapter 316, Peddling and Soliciting [Amended 2-4-1992, effective 2-18-1992] § 316-50, vending licenses in Special Downtown Vending District [Amended 5-29-2001, effective 6-11-2001] Annual site (4 x 8 square feet or smaller) [Amended 7-10-2018, effective 7-10-2018] $350.00 Temporary site $52.50 Daily site [Amended 7-10-2018, effective 7-10-2018] $25.00 Specialty food site $9.80 per square foot

Sidewalk & Mobile Vending

Buffalo requires a mobile food vending license before any food truck operates in the public right-of-way or on public property. Trucks must stay 100 feet from licensed restaurants and hot dog vendors, carry a measuring wheel, and obey all parking laws.

Buffalo Food Truck & Mobile Vending License Rules

Significant Restrictions

Buffalo City Code § 316-52 (General provisions), Ch. 316 Art. IX, Mobile Food Vehicle Vendors

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a mobile food vehicle within the public rights-of-way or on public property within the City of Buffalo without first having obtained a valid mobile food vending license as prescribed in this article. Operation of a mobile food vehicle on private property shall continue to be regulated and prohibited in accordance with all applicable provisions...

Looking for Erie County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Buffalo city rules.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Erie County