Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Charleston, SC (2026)
3 verified food trucks & mobile vendors rules for Charleston, South Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Food Truck Permits
A Charleston mobile food vendor operating in the Central Business District needs three things before opening: a business license, an individual peddler's permit for the operator and each employee, and a mobile food vendor operational permit from the fire marshal division. Sec. 17-121(b) also caps operating hours and bans loud music or PA systems.
Charleston Mobile Food Vendor Permit
Significant RestrictionsCharleston City Code § 17-121(b)(1)
a.No person shall engage in a mobile food vendor operation unless they have obtained a valid business license, a peddler's permit for himself and any employee operating at the location, and one (1) current mobile food vendor operational permit from the fire marshal division. Required documentation will be readily displayed and made available upon request, including written permission from the p...
Vending Zones
Stationary food carts on Charleston's public streets, sidewalks and parking spaces in the Old and Historic District are banned everywhere except vendor spaces the department of traffic and transportation designates and city council approves. Outside that district, mobile food vending on private property is separately regulated in the Central Business District under Sec. 17-121(b).
Charleston Mobile Food Vending Zones
Significant RestrictionsCharleston City Code § 17-121(a)-(b)
(a)Vending of food or drink within public rights-of-way.(1)It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the business of selling food or drink with any alcohol contained therein and reading material from a stationary cart or any other stationary vehicle or device that is placed, parked or stopped in or upon any city street or in any public parking space, public right-of-way or sidewalk next ...
Sidewalk & Mobile Vending
Selling food or drink from a stationary cart on a Charleston street or sidewalk is unlawful outside city-designated vendor spaces in the Old and Historic District, and vendors need a business license, police-approved peddler's permit, and displayed decal. Mobile food vendors operating on private property in the Central Business District follow separate hours and setback rules under Sec. 17-121.
Charleston Sidewalk Food Vending Rules
Significant RestrictionsCharleston City Code § 17-121(a)(1), (b)(1)b
(a)Vending of food or drink within public rights-of-way.(1)It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the business of selling food or drink...and reading material from a stationary cart or any other stationary vehicle or device that is placed, parked or stopped in or upon any city street or in any public parking space, public right-of-way or sidewalk next to any city street or on any othe...
Looking for Charleston County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Charleston city rules.
Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Charleston County →