Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Paterson, NJ (2026)
3 verified food trucks & mobile vendors rules for Paterson, New Jersey, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Food Truck Permits
Paterson requires anyone selling food from a truck or cart to hold a Division of Health license, pass background checks, and hold a valid food handler certificate first.
Paterson Food Vending Vehicle License
Some RestrictionsPaterson City Code § 243-2
No person shall offer any food for sale from a food vending vehicle in the City without first obtaining a license therefor from the Paterson Division of Health. ... Both the applicant and any additional driver/operator must have a valid food handler certificate prior to the issuance of a food vending vehicle license.
Vending Zones
Licensed Paterson peddlers can't sell near fire hydrants, crosswalks, driveways, bus stops, store entrances, or anywhere in the downtown core.
Paterson Peddler Location Restrictions
Significant RestrictionsPaterson City Code § 367-39.1
Engage in the business of peddling within 10 feet of any location where the curb has been depressed... Engage in the business of peddling on any sidewalk or along any street within 15 feet of any fire hydrant, crosswalk or driveway... Sell or attempt to sell any good or service within the downtown area. For the purposes of this article, the "downtown area" shall be defined as the area from the ...
Sidewalk & Mobile Vending
Peddlers, hawkers, and street vendors need a Licensing Division license backed by a police background check before selling in Paterson; fees run $250 to $2,200, and downtown sales are banned outright.
Paterson Peddler Vendor License
Significant RestrictionsPaterson City Code § 367-35
No person, whether peddler, hawker, itinerant vendor or transient merchant, shall sell any goods, wares, merchandise or services or offer to sell the same without first obtaining a license therefor, as provided in this article.
Looking for Passaic County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Paterson city rules.
Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Passaic County →