Erie, PA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- License required from
- City of Erie Bureau of Licensing
- Application fee
- $200; waived for farmers and nonprofits
- Insurance minimum
- $1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate
- Health check
- Erie County Health Dept certification required
- License term
- January 1 through December 31 each year
- Unlicensed vending penalty
- up to $300 fine or 90 days jail
- QOL ticket
- $100 for vending without a valid license
Summary
Anyone selling food or beverages from a stand or vehicle on Erie's streets or sidewalks needs a peddler/vendor license from the Bureau of Licensing before setting up shop. The $200 application requires a health certification and $1 million/$2 million liability insurance, and operating as an unlicensed mobile vendor draws its own $100 Quality-of-Life ticket.
No person shall engage in the business of peddler or sidewalk vendor as defined in this article within the corporate limits of the City without first obtaining a license therefor as provided herein. ... At the time of filing the application, a fee of $200 shall be paid to the Bureau of Licensing to cover the cost of investigation and issuance of the license.
Full Breakdown
02); the article's VENDOR definition covers anyone selling food, beverages or merchandise on public streets or sidewalks from a stand or motor vehicle. Applicants file a sworn application with the Bureau of Licensing giving their name and address, a description of the goods sold, a photograph taken within the prior 60 days, a description of any vehicle used, the proposed vending location or general area, a statement of prior convictions, and a statement from the Erie County Health Department, dated within 10 days of filing, certifying the applicant is free of infectious, contagious or communicable disease.
03). 08). 07). 05). Separately, Article 1129's Quality of Life Ticketing Program defines MOBILE VENDOR and treats operating as a peddler or mobile vendor without a valid license as QOL-29, and operating an inoperable food cart, stand or station as QOL-28.
Violations & Fines
Vending without a license is both a summary offense under § 313.99, punishable by up to a $300 fine or 90 days in jail, and a Quality-of-Life ticket, QOL-29, carrying its own $100 fine under Article 1129. Operating a food cart while any part of it is inoperable is QOL-28, also $100. Leaving a stand overnight on a street or sidewalk, or vending without the required insurance, violates § 313.05 and can put the license itself at risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do food trucks need a license to operate in Erie?
How much does an Erie vendor license cost?
What has to be in the application?
What happens if I vend without a license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Erie
Compare Erie to another location·View the Pennsylvania 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.