Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Durham, NC (2026)
2 verified food trucks & mobile vendors rules for Durham, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Vending Zones
Durham limits temporary outdoor vending to commercial and Design zoning districts, and requires a temporary use permit for most mobile food vendors -- except those operating in the Downtown Design (DD) District or on construction sites, and those on private property for no more than four hours a day.
Durham Food Truck Vending Zones
Some RestrictionsDurham UDO § 5.5.2.I.2
2. Nonresidential Temporary outdoor sales shall be limited to property within commercial zoning and Design districts. Except for mobile food vendors in DD District, only one vendor shall occupy a parcel at one time unless a temporary use permit is issued for the vendor. The maximum area for the temporary use shall be 400 square feet, unless solely for sales of Christmas trees, pumpkins, or fire...
Sidewalk & Mobile Vending
Durham's right-of-way sales ordinance lets food carts, vending vehicles, and First Amendment sellers operate on paved sidewalks and on-street parking spaces, but sales gear must clear at least four feet of pedestrian space, sit ten feet from intersections and fire hydrants, and stay 20 feet from bank entrances and ATMs. Food sellers must register annually with the city.
Durham Street Vendor Cart Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsDurham City Code § 54-91(e), (n)
(e)Minimum distances. ... All sales gear must be placed so as to allow at least four feet of unobstructed space for pedestrians on sidewalks... if within 200 feet of sales gear, there is no passing space for pedestrians that is at least five feet by five feet, sales gear must be placed so as to allow at least five feet of unobstructed space for pedestrians. All sales gear must be at least ten f...
Looking for Durham County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Durham city rules.
Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Durham County →