Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Madison, WI (2026)
3 verified food trucks & mobile vendors rules for Madison, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Food Truck Permits
Madison food trucks operate under a Basic Street Vending License, not a separate food-truck permit, but MGO § 9.13(13) still caps the vehicle at 8'6" wide, 13'6" tall and 28 feet long, requires single-unit trucks (no semi-trailers) and detachable trailers while open for business.
Madison Food Truck Vending Permits
Some RestrictionsMadison General Ordinances § 9.13(13)
(13)Food Trucks. Street vending of food and beverages may occur from a truck or trailer meeting all requirements below, with a Basic Street vending license, anywhere in the City other than the specialized vending areas, subject to the following requirements:(a)A Food Truck is a motor vehicle or trailer that includes a mobile food preparation area that meets the requirements elsewhere in this Se...
Vending Zones
Madison bars street vending in specific zones: on arterial or collector streets with speed limits over 25 mph directly next to a school, on any bicycle path or recreational trail, and around parks without complying with the parks vending rules. Licensed vendors can seek a variance from the Vending Oversight Committee, and the City also designates several special vending districts.
Madison Street Vending Zone Restrictions
Significant RestrictionsMadison General Ordinances § 9.13(2)(b)
2.Street Vending on Certain Streets Near Schools Prohibited. Street vending is prohibited upon any highway, street, alley, sidewalk, pleasure drive, or portion thereof if the street is designated "arterial" or "collector" on the "Street Functional Class Map" maintained by the Director of Traffic Engineering, has a posted speed limit greater than 25 miles per hour, and is located directly adjace...
Sidewalk & Mobile Vending
Madison requires a street vending license before anyone sells or offers goods, food, or services on a public highway, street, alley, sidewalk, or square. MGO § 9.13(1) reaches setting up a cart, truck or stand, preparing food for sale, or even soliciting customers, and a Basic Street Vending Annual license runs $250 a year.
Madison Street Vendor License Requirement
Significant RestrictionsMadison General Ordinances § 9.13(1)
(1)It shall be unlawful for any person upon any highway, street, alley, sidewalk, or public square, to vend, sell or offer for sale or procure the sale of any services, goods, wares, tokens, or foodstuffs, or any other article of any kind; by preparing or setting up a booth, vending cart, truck, stand, vehicle or equipment of any kind from which the vending activity directly occurs; preparing f...
Looking for Dane County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Madison city rules.
Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Dane County →