Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Evanston, IL (2026)
3 verified food trucks & mobile vendors rules for Evanston, Illinois, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Food Truck Permits
Operating a mobile food vehicle anywhere in Evanston without a City license is unlawful under City Code Section 8-23-2. Vendors pay a $500 annual fee, $250 if the license is issued after July 1, carry $1,000,000 in liability insurance, and must prove restroom access within 200 feet if the vehicle is parked over two hours. Licenses cover one vehicle only and expire December 31 each year.
Evanston Mobile Food Vehicle Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsEvanston City Code § 8-23-2
(A)It shall be unlawful for any person to operate within the City a mobile food vehicle, as defined in this Chapter, without first having obtained a license for that purpose. ... 6.Proof of access to restrooms with a hand sink for use by employees within two hundred (200) feet of the mobile food vehicle during times when the vehicle is parked in one (1) location for more than two (2) hours. Pro...
Vending Zones
City Code Section 8-23-3 tells Evanston mobile food vendors exactly where they can and can't park. The Director of the Public Works Agency must approve every location, and vending is barred within 30 feet of an intersection, within 100 feet of a licensed restaurant or the listed City parks, within 500 feet of a school in session, and within 500 feet of a permitted City event.
Evanston Mobile Food Vending Location Rules
Significant RestrictionsEvanston City Code § 8-23-3
(A)Upon receipt of a complete application for a license, the license shall be referred to the Director of Public Works Agency or his/her designee for approval or disapproval. The use of the licensed operating location for mobile food vending must be compatible with the public interest in use of the public right-of-way. ... (B)The Director of Public Works Agency or his/her designee shall not app...
Sidewalk & Mobile Vending
Selling food on Evanston sidewalks by pack, pushcart or wagon requires a peddler's license from the City Collector under City Code Section 3-11-2, with fees set by Section 3-11-3: $50.00 for a pack or pushcart peddler and $135.00 for a wagon or motor vehicle peddler. Food peddling is barred within 500 feet of schools in session and outside the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Evanston Sidewalk Food Peddler License Rules
Some RestrictionsEvanston City Code §§ 3-11-2, 3-11-3
3-11-2. - LICENSE REQUIRED; APPLICATION AND REGISTRATION. It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the business of peddling any goods, wares or merchandise as hereinabove defined within the City without first having obtained a license for that purpose as provided herein. ... Any application to peddle bakery goods, prepared food, confections, ice cream, beverages, juices, butter, eggs or...
Looking for Cook County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Evanston city rules.
Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Cook County →