Newark, NJ Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)

Chapter 8:7, Hawking and Peddling, requires anyone who sells food from a peddler's cart, wagon, motor vehicle or other vehicle to obtain a license bearing the notation food peddler before operating, under Section 8:7-2b, distinct from the general merchandise peddler license in Section 8:7-2a. Because the license covers food, drink, candy or other consumables, the application under Section 8:7-2c must include a certificate from a New Jersey-licensed physician, dated within 60 days of filing, certifying the applicant is of sound physique and free of any contagious disease or infirmity that would make selling food unsafe.

Applicants also need a City of Newark Municipal Identification Card, a Division of Taxation certificate of registration, and, for renewing licensees, proof of New Jersey sales tax payment, under Section 8:7-2d. Section 8:7-3 sets the fees: $500 per year for a licensed motor vehicle, $250 per year for a cart, $100 per year for applicants 62 or older, and $50 per day for peddling at a parade or public event; all licenses expire April 30 regardless of issue date, and a lost license can be replaced for $25.

Beyond the license, Section 13:2-22 of the Health Title imposes separate sanitary and construction standards on any pushcart, truck or moveable vehicle selling food from the street: the vehicle must be of sound, cleanable construction, insulated with screened openings, equipped with double washtrays supplied with 170-degree hot water, a hand washbasin with soap and single-service towels, and single-service utensils, and all ingredients must come from City-approved sources. Operators who also prepare food on the truck need the Section 13:2-25 food handler's certificate.