Portland, OR Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- City Administrator
- Max operating area
- 24 sq ft
- Max cart length
- 6 feet
- Fire inspection
- Required before permit
- Max fine
- $500 / 6 months
Summary
Selling food from a cart on a Portland sidewalk requires a City Administrator permit under the sidewalk vendor code before any transaction can happen.
No person may conduct business as defined in this Chapter on any Portland sidewalk without first obtaining a permit from the City Administrator and paying the required fee. It is unlawful for any person to sell any goods or services on any sidewalk within Portland except as provided by this Chapter.
Full Breakdown
Portland regulates food carts through its sidewalk vendor code rather than a separate food-truck ordinance. Anyone selling edible items for immediate delivery from a cart on a city sidewalk must first get a permit and pay the fee; operating without one is unlawful. Carts are capped at 24 sq ft of operating area, 6 feet long, 5 feet tall, and the Fire Marshal must inspect and approve any cooking or heating equipment before the permit issues.
Violations & Fines
Fine up to $500, up to 6 months imprisonment, or both. The City Administrator can suspend or revoke a permit, and an illegally placed cart is a declared public nuisance the City can remove and store until the owner pays removal and storage charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Portland have a specific food truck ordinance?
Can a cart operate overnight?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Portland
Compare Portland to another location·View the Oregon food trucks & mobile vendors overview
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Food Truck Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Multnomah County handle food truck permits.