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Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Dearborn, MI (2026)

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

Verified from official government sources

Food Truck Permits

Every food truck operating in Dearborn needs a license from the city clerk under Article VIIA, plus fire inspection, $1 million liability coverage, and annual renewal by April 30.

Dearborn Food Truck License Rules

Some Restrictions

Dearborn Code of Ordinances § 12-251(a)-(b)

(a) It shall be unlawful for any food truck to operate in the City of Dearborn without first obtaining a food truck license from the city clerk and pursuant to the provisions of this article. (b) It shall be unlawful for any person to assist or help any person with the operation of a food truck in the City of Dearborn except as provided by this article.

Vending Zones

Food trucks may not simply park and vend anywhere in Dearborn -- the city limits sales to designated city parks under a separate recreation permit, or to city-permitted block parties, on top of the general food truck license.

Dearborn Food Truck Vending Zones

Significant Restrictions

Dearborn Code of Ordinances § 12-255(b)

(b) Authorized locations to operate food trucks in the city; city park food truck permit required. ... (4) Designated locations. The director of the department of recreation may designate areas at the following locations for the operation of food trucks pursuant to the terms and conditions of this article: a. Lapeer Park. b. Hemlock Park. c. Ford Woods Park. d. Ford Field Park. e. Levagood ...

Sidewalk & Mobile Vending

Dearborn requires anyone selling food, beverages, goods or merchandise on a public street or sidewalk from a stand or vehicle to hold a vendor's license from the city clerk under Article VII of Chapter 12. The article expressly does not cover mobile food trucks, which are licensed separately.

Dearborn Sidewalk and Street Vendor License

Significant Restrictions

Dearborn Code of Ordinances § 12-232 (Article VII, §§ 12-230 to 12-244)

ARTICLE VII. - STREET VENDORS Sec. 12-230. - Purpose. The primary purpose of the public streets, sidewalks, and other public ways is for uses by vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Reasonable regulation of vending on public ways is necessary to protect the public health, safety, and welfare. The regulations contained in this article are not intended to prohibit or hamper speech which is protec...

Looking for Wayne County county-wide rules?

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

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Wayne County