Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Des Moines, IA (2026)
3 verified food trucks & mobile vendors rules for Des Moines, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Food Truck Permits
Every mobile food vender in Des Moines must get a mobile vender license from the city clerk before selling, with a separate license required per vehicle, insurance, a cash bond and zone restrictions attached.
Des Moines Mobile Food Vender License
Some RestrictionsDes Moines Municipal Code § 78-203
(a)Every mobile vender shall, before offering for sale any food or beverages in the city, obtain a license for their sale from the city clerk as provided in this article.(b)A mobile vender license authorizes the operation of a mobile vender vehicle upon the public streets within the mobile vender zones or locations set forth in subsection 78-201(a), subject to the regulations set forth in this ...
Vending Zones
Des Moines limits mobile food vendors and transient merchants to nine designated parks, plus three athletic complexes with prior written approval, under Municipal Code § 74-210.
Des Moines Mobile Food Vendor Park Zones
Significant RestrictionsDes Moines Municipal Code § 74-210(a)
Mobile vendors operating mobile vendor vehicles, as defined in article V of chapter 78 of this Code, and transient merchants, as defined in article III of chapter 78 of this Code, may be located or operated only in the following parks:(1)Ashworth Park(2)Evelyn K. Davis Park(3)Ewing Park(4)Grandview Park(5)Greenwood Park(6)MacRae Park(7)Riverview Park(8)Simon Estes Amphitheater Plaza(9)Union Park
Sidewalk & Mobile Vending
Selling food from a cart or truck on a Des Moines street requires a mobile vender license from the city clerk, valid only in designated mobile vender zones.
Des Moines Mobile Food Vendor License
Significant RestrictionsDes Moines Municipal Code § 78-203
(a)Every mobile vender shall, before offering for sale any food or beverages in the city, obtain a license for their sale from the city clerk as provided in this article.(b)A mobile vender license authorizes the operation of a mobile vender vehicle upon the public streets within the mobile vender zones or locations set forth in subsection 78-201(a), subject to the regulations set forth in this ...
Looking for Polk County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Des Moines city rules.
Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Polk County →