Council Bluffs, IA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)

CBMC 3.58.030 makes it unlawful to sell food as a mobile food vendor within city limits without a license issued by the director of the Parks and Recreation Department, though the chapter exempts farmers markets, farm stands, catering businesses, approved stadium concession stands, private-party temporary units, brief nonprofit sales of three consecutive days or less, and vending that is ancillary to an existing permanent food establishment the vendor already owns on the same parcel. Applicants file with the director under CBMC 3.58.040, disclosing vehicle descriptions and license numbers, the type of food sold, a state sales tax permit, required fire and safety certifications, and proof of general liability insurance, including products liability coverage, of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 for property damage.

Under CBMC 3.58.050 the director can deny an incomplete application, one with unpaid fees, or one from an applicant convicted of three or more violations of the chapter in the preceding twelve months. The license fee, charged per vehicle, trailer, cart or other piece of mobile equipment under CBMC 3.58.60, includes an added surcharge for vendors primarily working inside a C-4 business improvement district, and the license expires every December 31 under CBMC 3.58.070 unless the vendor files a renewal registration and pays the renewal fee by that date.

The director may revoke or suspend a license for fraud, misrepresentation, any violation of the chapter, or conduct breaching the peace under CBMC 3.58.090, and must revoke it outright after three convictions in any twelve-month period; a revoked vendor cannot reapply for one year. Violations carry the civil penalties of CBMC 1.95.020 under CBMC 3.58.100.