Janesville, WI Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)

Section 12-166(a) permits, regulates and licenses vendors selling pre-packaged frozen items, hot dogs, drinks or prepared food, exempting compliant licensees from the general street-business ban in § 12-164. Under § 12-166(d), no person may operate, sell from or use a mobile food vending vehicle or cart unless it holds a valid City license, and each owner must license each unit separately, § 12-166(f). Applications go to the City Clerk, and no license issues or renews until the owner holds all required Rock County Health Department and State permits and the unit passes county or state health inspection, § 12-166(e)(5)-(6).

Fees are $250.00 for an annual license running January 1 through December 31, $150.00 for a seasonal license from May 1 through September 30, and $75.00 for a special event license of no more than three consecutive days on one premises, § 12-166(e)(3). A license is denied if a prior license under the article was revoked, suspended or not renewed, absent City Council approval on appeal, § 12-166(e)(7). Licensed vendors must display the license conspicuously and post a sign at least 12 inches by 12 inches with the licensee's name, address and phone number, § 12-166(g)-(h).

Each licensee must carry liability insurance of at least $1,000,000.00 per incident and $1,000,000.00 aggregate naming the City as an additional insured, § 12-166(j). Mobile vendors selling exclusively at a Recreation Division-approved special event, such as the farmer's market, are exempt from the standard licensing subsections if the vendor is separately licensed by the county or state, § 12-166(c)(3).