Duluth, MN Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- License required
- Yes, replaces peddler license (§27-6)
- Expiration
- December 31 every year
- Auto liability minimum
- $250,000/$500,000 per person/accident
- General liability minimum
- $300,000/occurrence, $600,000 aggregate
- Appeal window
- 10 business days after notice
- Inspecting agencies
- Police, fire, parks and recreation
Summary
In the City of Duluth, no one may operate a mobile food cart or mobile food vehicle without a license issued under Duluth Legislative Code § 27-17. The license replaces the general peddler license, expires every December 31, and requires proof of state and St. Louis County permits, vehicle details, and water, fuel, and waste-disposal information before city clerk approval.
(a) No person or business shall operate a mobile food cart or mobile food vehicle within the city without a license. Said license is in lieu of the peddler license required pursuant to Section 27-6. Mobile food cart and mobile food vehicle licenses are not required for operations occurring entirely within a permitted community event pursuant to Section 45-49; (b) The city may require such information on the license application as city staff deem reasonable and necessary, including but not limited to, the following information: ... (4) Proof of applicable licenses or permits required by the state of Minnesota, St. Louis County, or this Code;
Full Breakdown
Duluth Legislative Code § 27-17 makes a mobile food cart or mobile food vehicle license mandatory for anyone operating within city limits; it substitutes for the peddler license under Section 27-6 and is waived only for carts and trucks working entirely inside a permitted community event under Section 45-49. Applicants file with the city clerk (§ 27-18) and pay a council-set fee under Section 31-6(a); licenses are non-transferable and all expire December 31 regardless of issue date. Operators must also meet Section 27-19's operating standards: compliance with the Minnesota Food Code (Minn.
ch. 157) and Minnesota Rules ch. 4626, a ban on dumping waste, liquids, or litter on city property, a prohibition on tapping public or unauthorized private utilities, adherence to the vehicle noise limits of Sections 34-22 and 34-24, at least one customer waste container per unit, a bar on preparing or storing food at a private residence, and remittance of Minnesota and city sales tax. Duluth police, fire, and parks and recreation staff may inspect any licensed cart or vehicle at any time under Section 27-20.
Before the license takes effect, Section 27-21 requires liability coverage: motorized units need at least $250,000 per person and $500,000 per accident in auto bodily-injury coverage plus $100,000 in property damage, and every cart or vehicle needs a commercial general liability policy of at least $300,000 per occurrence and $600,000 aggregate naming the City of Duluth as an additional insured.
Violations & Fines
Operating without the § 27-17 license, without the required insurance, or in violation of the operating standards is grounds for denial, suspension, or revocation under Section 27-23. The chief administrative officer reviews applications and can pull a license for good cause, including public-nuisance violations of Minn. Stat. §§ 609.74-609.745 or repeated unlicensed operation; a licensee may demand a city council hearing within ten business days of the notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to run a food truck in Duluth?
How much liability insurance does Duluth require?
When does a Duluth mobile food license expire?
Can the city revoke my food truck license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Duluth
Compare Duluth to another location·View the Minnesota food trucks & mobile vendors overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.