Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Yakima, WA (2026)
2 verified food trucks & mobile vendors rules for Yakima, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Food Truck Permits
YMC Chapter 5.57 (Mobile Food Vendors) — adopted by Ord. 2015-029 and amended by Ord. 2020-006 — requires every mobile or street vendor to obtain a city business license under YMC Chapter 5.52 (YMC 5.57.020). Before the license issues, the applicant must furnish the City Codes Office with proof of approval from the WA Department of Labor & Industries, the WA Department of Health, and the Yakima Health District, plus a written narrative addressing storage, commissary, posting and equipment requirements under WAC 246-215-09100, -09120 and -09160 (YMC 5.57.030). State licensing of mobile food units flows from WAC 246-215 (administered through the Yakima Health District) and is preserved by Washington's mobile-food-unit framework — cities can layer business licensing on top but cannot ban state-licensed units. The business license must be prominently displayed on the unit at all times (YMC 5.57.020).
Yakima Mobile Food Vendor Permit
Some RestrictionsVending Zones
YMC 5.57.040 sets buffers and zone restrictions. Mobile or street vendors may not operate in any vehicle travel lane (YMC 5.57.040(2)) and may not sell from a vehicle in a residential zoning district except in connection with a special event or private catering (YMC 5.57.040(3)). Mandatory buffers: 300 ft from any public or private school during regular sessions/events (unless authorized by the school); 100 ft from a brick-and-mortar business open for business and offering similar goods; 100 ft from any open restaurant/cafe/eating establishment if selling food; not in ROW abutting private property without owner permission; and 300 ft from any public park with an active special-event permit (unless authorized). No more than 2 mobile vendors per linear block frontage are allowed, subject to the buffers (YMC 5.57.040(4)(a)–(f)).
Yakima Food Truck Vending Locations & Operating Standards
Some RestrictionsLooking for Yakima County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Yakima city rules.
Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Yakima County →