Reading, PA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)

City Code § 453-306 sets the mobile vendor license application process. Applications are available from the Property Maintenance Division (§ 453-306.A) and must include a nonrefundable fee under Chapter 212, Fees, plus: the applicant's true name and street address (no P.O. boxes), photographs and specifications of the vending unit showing compliance with the § 453-307 design standards, a full list of items to be sold with proof the vendor has or has applied for required City and state health permits, a copy of the applicant's business privilege license, ownership percentages for corporate or partnership applicants, any permit for on-unit heating, cooking, water, electrical or cooling equipment, and the unit's dimensions and general operating area (§ 453-306.B(1)).

Utility connections to neighboring properties are prohibited. Incomplete applications may be amended and resubmitted once. The Property Maintenance Division Manager or a designee reviews each application and must deny it if it is materially incomplete, if the unit fails the design or health standards, if the applicant lacks a business privilege license, or if the applicant held a revoked mobile vendor license within the past five years or was convicted of a controlled-substance sale offense or a felony within the past 10 years (§ 453-306.C).

A denied applicant must be notified in writing of the reasons within 10 days. Each license runs for one calendar year and is subject to inspection during that year for continued compliance (§ 453-306.D). This Part was amended by Ord. No. 34-2022 on April 25, 2022.