Des Moines, IA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- License required
- Before any sale in city limits
- Application lead time
- At least 3 business days
- License expires
- Every March 1
- Liability insurance minimum
- $1,000,000 per occurrence
- Repeat-violation penalty
- 180-day licensing ineligibility
Summary
Every mobile food vender in Des Moines must get a mobile vender license from the city clerk before selling, with a separate license required per vehicle, insurance, a cash bond and zone restrictions attached.
(a)Every mobile vender shall, before offering for sale any food or beverages in the city, obtain a license for their sale from the city clerk as provided in this article.(b)A mobile vender license authorizes the operation of a mobile vender vehicle upon the public streets within the mobile vender zones or locations set forth in subsection 78-201(a), subject to the regulations set forth in this article and to any applicable conditions set forth in a temporary use permit or approved conditional use.(c)A separate mobile vender license shall be required for each mobile vending vehicle.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 38 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Any mobile food vender operating in Des Moines must obtain a mobile vender license from the city clerk before offering food or beverages for sale, applying at least three business days ahead with vehicle details, an Iowa sales tax permit, proof of liability insurance, and for hot or cold food, a Mobile Food Unit license from the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals plus a fire marshal inspection. A cash bond and, for downtown zones, a meter hood fee also apply. Licenses expire every March 1 and cover only Des Moines street parking; separate licenses are required to operate in neighboring West Des Moines, Urbandale or Ankeny.
Violations & Fines
Selling without a license, letting required insurance lapse, or violating zone and hours rules can lead the city clerk to suspend or revoke the license, with a 180-day wait before reapplying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a separate license for each food truck in Des Moines?
How long does a Des Moines mobile vender license last?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Des Moines
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