East Orange, NJ Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)

Article IV of Chapter 118 governs any vehicle or comparable equipment selling food or beverages in East Orange, whether prepared on-site or brought in from elsewhere, under § 118-19. Section 118-21 makes it unlawful to operate as a mobile food vendor on public property without a City-issued license, and caps the total number of active licenses at 30; when one lapses or gets revoked, the Tax Collector reissues it off a first-come, first-served waiting list. Applicants under § 118-22 must file with the Tax Collector and supply a New Jersey Division of Taxation registration certificate, proof of vehicle ownership or rental, at least $1,000,000 in general liability insurance plus motor vehicle insurance under N.J.S.A. § 39:6B-1, a motor vehicle inspection report no older than 30 days, vehicle details and a driving record abstract, a Type 2 propane permit from the East Orange Fire Department if the vehicle carries more than five pounds of propane, two photo IDs, three professional references, and any arrest or conviction history for the applicant and staff.

The $500 fee under § 118-23 covers the health certificate, and the license runs one year, expiring every June 1 under § 118-24 regardless of the issue date. Licenses cannot be sold, leased or transferred between operators under § 118-25, and a separate health certificate application through the Department of Health, plus a health inspection within 30 days of issuance under § 118-28, is required on top of the vendor license.