Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Baltimore County, MD (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Baltimore County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Food Truck Permits
Baltimore County requires a Department-issued license before anyone can operate a food truck within its limits. Applicants must submit insurance proof, a Health Department food service facility permit, and a certified food service manager's name under Article 21, Title 8 of the County Code. Licenses run May 1 through April 30, and violators face a misdemeanor fine up to $100 per offense.
Baltimore County Food Truck License Required
Some RestrictionsBaltimore County Code §§ 21-8-101, 21-8-103, 21-8-109(a)
§ 21-8-101. - DEFINITIONS. In this title, "food truck" means a self-contained and self-propelled mobile vehicle that sells food from the curb side of the vehicle to customers on the curb side of a public street. ... § 21-8-103. - LICENSE REQUIRED. A person shall be licensed by the Department to operate a food truck in the county. ... § 21-8-109. - PROHIBITIONS. (a)Parking.(1)A licensee may not ...
Vending Zones
Baltimore County licenses every food truck through the Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections and bars them from parking within 200 feet of an open restaurant's front entrance, on sidewalks, or on private property without the owner's consent. Operators also can't tow a trailer besides a canopy or menu board, or play music through an outside speaker.
Baltimore County Food Truck Parking: 200-Foot Rule
Some RestrictionsBaltimore County Code § 21-8-109(a)
(a)Parking.(1)A licensee may not park a food truck within 200 feet of the front public entrance of an open, operating restaurant.(2)A licensee may not park a food truck on any sidewalk or private property without permission of the owner.(3)A violation of this subsection shall be subject to the penalty provided in § 18-2-702(a)(8) of the Code.(b)Trailer or attachment. Except for a canopy or menu...
Sidewalk & Mobile Vending
Baltimore County bars a licensed peddler from setting up a sidewalk stand at all: § 21-11-104 requires hawkers to keep continuously moving. The only exception is a legally blind or handicapped licensee selling food from a small, self-contained sidewalk stand kept at least 100 feet from the nearest restaurant, and mobile vendors also can't park near a school during school hours.
Sidewalk Food Stands Limited in Baltimore County
Significant RestrictionsBaltimore County Code § 21-11-104
(a)Standing prohibited.(1)A license issued under this title does not authorize the licensee to maintain a sidewalk stand or place for selling.(2)A licensee shall keep continuously moving and may not hawk, sell, peddle, vend, or offer for sale goods in any one place.(b)Exception. This section does not apply to a person who:(1)Possesses a valid license;(2)Is legally blind or is a handicapped indi...
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