Evanston, IL Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)

Evanston City Code Section 8-23-2 requires anyone operating a mobile food vehicle, defined in Section 8-23-1 as a commercially manufactured, motorized unit where ready-to-eat food is cooked, wrapped, packaged, processed or portioned for sale, to first obtain a license from the City Manager's designee. The written application must include the applicant's name and address, the approved commercial supply source, a description of preparation methods and menu, plans and specifications for the vehicle including layout, photographs, mechanical schematics, weight per wheel and power source, and proof of restroom access with a hand sink within 200 feet of the vehicle for any stop lasting more than two hours. Applicants must also submit a valid State Health or Transportation Authority permit and proof of food handler certification or an Illinois Food Service Sanitation Manager Certificate under the Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act. A signed hold-harmless statement and at least $1,000,000 in public liability, food products liability and property damage insurance are mandatory, and the insurance policy cannot be cancelled except on 30 days written notice to the City's Law Department; a license becomes invalid the moment coverage lapses.

The annual license fee is $500, dropping to $250 for licenses issued after July 1 of the calendar year. Every license expires December 31, covers exactly one vehicle, cannot be transferred between people or locations without City approval, and must display a City-issued decal. The City Manager's designee inspects each vehicle for fitness before issuing the license and may suspend, revoke or refuse to issue a license for good cause, including a refusal to comply with any requirement of Chapter 23. A vendor who already holds a valid permit does not owe a separate temporary food establishment fee to work a private event, unless the vendor changes its approved menu for that event.