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

BMC § 11.02.140 defines a vendor truck as a motorized vehicle, or trailer pulled by a motorized vehicle, from which food, beverages or other goods are sold. Ice cream trucks that only sell prepackaged frozen foods are exempt from that definition and are allowed in all zones with Washington State and city of Bothell business permits prominently displayed. Every other truck follows the conditions in BMC § 12.06.060: the Vendor carts or trucks row of the use table is permitted in OP, NB, CB, GC and LI and not permitted in the residential columns or R-AC.

Three conditions shape the permit file. First, the vendor shall comply with all applicable state and county health regulations, and evidence of compliance and a current city of Bothell business license must be conspicuously posted on the truck. Second, the truck can be no larger than eight feet wide by 30 feet long, exclusive of temporary canopies extended over the service side when parked. Third, the city can place additional restrictions, including limits on duration and frequency, for public area use permits for vendor trucks. A truck on private property also needs written permission from the legal owner of that property.

The public area use permit comes from Chapter 17.20 BMC. Section 17.20.010 bars any person from using a public right-of-way, street, sidewalk or other public place without one. The application goes to the director of public works with a full description of the use and its duration and evidence that the applicant owns or is entitled to possession of the property adjoining the public place. Under BMC § 17.20.040 the applicant signs an indemnification agreement, authorizes inspections and accepts any conditions the director attaches, and BMC § 17.20.080 requires a certificate of general liability insurance naming the city as an additional insured. No public area use permit is required on private streets or in the campus district, but the other truck conditions still apply.

A permit is temporary and vests no permanent right. A decision approving, denying or revoking it can be appealed to the city manager by filing with the city clerk within three days of the director's decision (BMC § 17.20.060).