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Bellingham, WA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Definition
licensed truck/trailer with cooking facilities
Permit needed
BMC 13.14.030 right-of-way permit
Insurance
$1M/occurrence general liability
Issuing agency
public works department
Term
up to one year, renewable

Summary

Bellingham treats food trucks and mobile food vendors as a right-of-way use requiring a temporary permit from public works whenever they operate on a public street or sidewalk in the city.

"Food trucks and mobile food vendors" means trucks or trailers licensed as vehicles and equipped with facilities for cooking and/or selling food. ... a temporary right-of-way use permit is required for any temporary use of a right-of-way that interferes with the free use, by the public, of such right-of-way.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-06-015, passed June 1, 2026).

Full Breakdown

BMC 13.14.020(F) defines food trucks and mobile food vendors as trucks or trailers licensed as vehicles and equipped with facilities for cooking and/or selling food. When a food truck sets up on a public right-of-way, BMC 13.14.030(A) requires a temporary right-of-way use permit from the public works department, backed by a site plan, proof of general liability insurance, and an administrative fee. Permits run up to one year and are reviewed for impacts on traffic, pedestrian access and neighboring businesses; the exemption list in BMC 13.14.030(B) does not exclude food trucks generally, only activities already permitted under other chapters such as special events.

Violations & Fines

Operating a food truck in the public right-of-way without a permit violates BMC 13.14.030; the city may deny, condition, or summarily revoke a permit for false information or unpermitted scope.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do food trucks need a permit to park in Bellingham's right-of-way?
Yes. BMC 13.14.030 requires a temporary right-of-way use permit for food trucks and mobile food vendors operating in a public street or sidewalk.
Is there a separate exemption for food trucks at private events?
No blanket exemption; the code exempts only activities already permitted under other chapters, like Special Events at 13.13 BMC, not food trucks generally.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Bellingham

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsSidewalk & Mobile VendingSome RestrictionsVending ZonesSignificant RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/NeuterSome Restrictions

All Bellingham rules

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