Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Chelsea, MA (2026)
3 verified food trucks & mobile vendors rules for Chelsea, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Food Truck Permits
Operating a food truck, canteen or food cart in Chelsea requires a mobile food operation permit from the Licensing Commission under Code of Ordinances section 14-90. Applicants pay a $50 application fee plus an annual fee of $500 for Chelsea-garaged trucks or $1,500 for non-residents, and the city caps permits per operator.
Chelsea Mobile Food Truck Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsChelsea Code of Ordinances § 14-90
(c)Mobile food operation permit required.(1)No person or business entity, including a religious or charitable organization, shall operate a mobile food operation in any public, private or restricted space without a permit issued by the commission. ... (h)Permit fees.(1)Application fee. The application fee for a permit granted by the commission for the operation of a mobile food operation shall ...
Vending Zones
Chelsea restricts where a permitted mobile food operation can park and sell under Code of Ordinances section 14-90(j). Trucks, canteens and carts must stay 300 feet from any restaurant or school, cannot vend in a municipal park without Public Works consent, and may not operate between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
Chelsea Food Truck Vending Location Rules
Some RestrictionsChelsea Code of Ordinances § 14-90(j)
(j)Operation of mobile food operations. ... (4)Areas of operation. No person shall operate a food operation:a.Within 300 feet of a restaurant;b.Within 300 feet of any elementary or secondary school;c.On private property without the written consent of the property owner.d.In a municipal park without the written consent of the director of public works. ... (9)A mobile food operation shall not ope...
Sidewalk & Mobile Vending
Chelsea's open-air vending ordinance lets a ground-floor tenant sell matching merchandise, including food, from the sidewalk in front of their storefront only under section 14-424: transactions must stay inside the store, goods must fit on a table or rack, and the license runs a maximum of two days a week, Friday and Saturday.
Chelsea, MA Sidewalk Vending Rules
Some RestrictionsChelsea Code of Ordinances § 14-424
(1)Transactions. All transactions for the purchase of goods, wares or merchandise shall occur within the confines of the establishment. In no instance shall sales transactions occur on the streets or sidewalks of the city.(2)Display. Only those goods, wares or merchandise which may be placed on a table or a rack shall be sold or displayed under the provisions of this license. In no instance sha...