Madison, WI Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- MGO § 9.13(13)
- Max dimensions
- 8'6" wide, 13'6" tall, 28 ft long
- Annual license fee
- $250 (Table A)
- Monthly license fee
- $150
- First violation fine
- $200, rising to $300
- Application due date
- February 1
Summary
Madison food trucks operate under a Basic Street Vending License, not a separate food-truck permit, but MGO § 9.13(13) still caps the vehicle at 8'6" wide, 13'6" tall and 28 feet long, requires single-unit trucks (no semi-trailers) and detachable trailers while open for business.
(13)Food Trucks. Street vending of food and beverages may occur from a truck or trailer meeting all requirements below, with a Basic Street vending license, anywhere in the City other than the specialized vending areas, subject to the following requirements:(a)A Food Truck is a motor vehicle or trailer that includes a mobile food preparation area that meets the requirements elsewhere in this Section and Sec. 9.136 for food vending but exceeds the size restrictions for Mall/Concourse Food vending carts and other street vending equipment. To be eligible to vend as a Food Truck, the vehicle shall meet the following size restrictions:1.A maximum of 8'6" in width, 13'6" in height, and not more than 28 feet in total length, including any attachments for generators or other vending supplies.2.If a truck, it must be a single unit such as a step van, box van or light duty box truck, not a semi-trailer or tractor-trailer combination.3.If using a trailer, it must be detached from the tow vehicle while open for business.
Full Breakdown
13(3)(a)). Vendors who employ supplemental workers can add an Umbrella Basic License for $600. 13(13) defines a Food Truck as a motor vehicle or trailer exceeding Mall/Concourse cart size limits, capped at 8'6" in width, 13'6" in height and 28 feet in total length including generator attachments; trucks must be single-unit vehicles such as step vans or box trucks (no semi-trailer combinations), and any trailer must be detached from its tow vehicle while open for business. The vehicle must carry current Wisconsin registration under Wis.
ch. 341. Food Trucks are exempt from the vending-site perimeter and equipment-size limits that apply to carts, but the food preparation area must still meet the Mall/Concourse vending regulations for cleanliness, a 15-amp NEC circuit breaker on any electrical line, and fire extinguishers. Every Food Truck must also hold all state and local health-code licenses for mobile food service before vending. 13(4), no equipment within 10 feet of a fire hydrant or 5 feet of a bus shelter, and applications are due February 1 with payment by April 1 under Table A.
Violations & Fines
Unlicensed or noncompliant street vending, including food-truck operation without a Basic Street Vending License or in violation of § 9.13(4)'s placement rules, is a forfeiture under MGO § 9.13: $200 for a first offense in a year, $250 for a second, and $300 for a third or subsequent violation in the same year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Madison issue a separate permit just for food trucks?
How big can a Madison food truck be?
Where can I park to vend?
What happens if I vend without a license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Madison
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Food Truck Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Dane County handle food truck permits.