Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Fort Collins, CO (2026)
3 verified food trucks & mobile vendors rules for Fort Collins, Colorado, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Food Truck Permits
Every mobile food truck operating in Fort Collins needs an outdoor vendor license under Chapter 15, filed at least five business days before starting. Licenses run through December 31, need County retail food approval, proof of insurance and a sales tax license, and the Financial Officer decides within five working days.
Fort Collins Mobile Food Truck Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsFort Collins City Code § 15-382(a)
(a)It shall be unlawful for any outdoor vendor to engage in such business within the City without first obtaining a license in compliance with the provisions of this Article.(b)Any person who arranges for or allows one (1) or more outdoor vendors to operate at a special event held pursuant to a license issued under Chapter 23.5 of this Code must obtain an outdoor vendor license under this Article.
Vending Zones
Fort Collins mobile food trucks can only vend on lots or legal parallel-parking streets in non-neighborhood zone districts, never on Linden Street, and never within 200 feet of a K-12 school. They may sell only food and nonalcoholic beverages, with signage permanently affixed rather than banners in the right-of-way.
Fort Collins Mobile Food Truck Zone Rules
Some RestrictionsFort Collins City Code § 15-387(p)(1)
(p)The following additional requirements shall apply to particular types of outdoor vendor licensees, as specified:(1)Mobile food truck vendors shall:a.Vend only on lots in non-neighborhood zone districts or on streets in locations in non-neighborhood zone districts where parallel parking is allowed, excluding Linden Street as defined in this Article except where permitted as part of licensed s...
Sidewalk & Mobile Vending
Fort Collins bars any outdoor vendor's cart, table or truck from sitting on a public sidewalk within a marked crosswalk, within ten feet of a building entrance, or anywhere on a Downtown Zone District sidewalk except as a City concessionaire. Vendors serving from an on-street spot must serve customers from the sidewalk side only, not the street.
Fort Collins Sidewalk Food Vending Limits
Significant RestrictionsFort Collins City Code § 15-387(b), (i)
(b)The vehicles, structures, devices and other similar items described in the license for any outdoor vendor shall not be located by the vendor in any of the following manners or places:(1)In any on-street parking space that is not parallel to the adjacent street;(2)In any public parking space in a manner that does not comply with applicable parking regulations or a properly issued parking perm...
Looking for Larimer County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fort Collins city rules.
Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Larimer County →