Kennewick, WA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- License needed
- City of Kennewick business license, KMC 18.12.250(1)(a)
- Health approval
- Benton-Franklin County Health District if food served
- City property use
- Lease + $1,000,000 insurance naming City as insured
- Vehicle add-ons
- Site plan, restroom agreement, discharge plan required
- Standing limit
- 1 hour per location on public ways
- Penalty for violation
- Business license revocation, § 18.12.250(5)(p)
Summary
Operating a food truck in Kennewick requires a City business license under KMC 18.12.250(1)(a), plus health district sign-off, insurance, and a site plan before the vehicle can set up on private property or a parking lot. Vehicle-based food businesses also owe a restroom agreement and a discharge plan for used oils and graywater under KMC 18.12.250(5)(f), on top of every general Temporary and Parking Lot Business requirement in subsection (1).
(1)General requirements:(a)A City of Kennewick business license is required;(b)The use of City property requires approval of a lease, background check, a hold harmless agreement and an insurance policy naming the City of Kennewick as an additional insured in the amount of $1,000,000.00; ... (f)Written approval from the Benton-Franklin County Health District is required if food is served or if restrooms are required; ... (5)Vehicle based food businesses: ... (f)In addition to the requirements to establish compliance with KMC "Temporary and Parking Lot Business" General Requirement 18.12.250(1) and other codes as applicable, the following items specific to Vehicle Based Food Businesses are required:(i)Site plan including outdoor seating layout.(ii)Restroom agreement.(iii)Discharge plan for used oils and graywater.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 19 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
52 (1)(r); and, if the truck sets up on City property such as a park, a lease, background check, hold-harmless agreement, and $1,000,000 liability policy naming the City as additional insured (1)(b). 250(1) and other codes as applicable, the following items specific to Vehicle Based Food Businesses are required: Site plan including outdoor seating layout. Restroom agreement. " The vehicle itself must be currently licensed and operable and able to leave the site at any time (5)(g), and standing in one public-way location is capped at one hour unless otherwise permitted (5)(b).
Vendors who set up in the Bridge to Bridge River to Rail Subarea are subject to an additional City cap on the number of trucks the Planning Director will allow in a given area (5)(n).
Violations & Fines
Operating a food truck without the required business license, health district approval, or site plan is enforced as a business-license and zoning violation under Title 18; KMC 18.12.250(5)(p) states that any violation of the vehicle-based food business conditions "would result in the revocation of the business license," on top of the general Title 18 misdemeanor penalty at KMC 18.54.090 for operating outside the approved conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a business license to run a food truck in Kennewick?
What extra paperwork does a Kennewick food truck need beyond the business license?
Can a food truck park on city property in Kennewick?
What happens if a Kennewick food truck violates its permit conditions?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kennewick
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