Rochester Hills, MI Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)

Adopted by Ordinance No. 644 in May 2023 and amended by Ordinance No. 654 in March 2024, chapter 78's mobile food vending article requires a separate annual license, with its own decal, for each mobile food vending unit operated in the city under section 78-211. Before the license issues, the building department and fire department inspect the unit for roadworthiness, scheduled during normal business hours by appointment. Section 78-213 spells out the application: the vendor's business form, the operating name, and the unit's license plate, make, model, and year, accompanied by the application fee, a current Oakland County food service license (and a Michigan Liquor Control Commission license if alcohol is served), and certificates of insurance naming the city as an additional insured, including $1,000,000.00 in commercial general liability coverage and $1,000,000.00 in motor vehicle liability coverage.

Ice cream vendors face an added background check confirming no felony or serious misdemeanor conviction. Section 54-502 sets the fees at a nonrefundable $100.00 application fee per unit, a $180.00 annual license fee per unit, and a reduced $25.00 annual fee per vehicle for ice cream vendors. Licenses may be renewed starting March 1 each year under section 78-214. Vending without the required special event permit under section 79-3 is excused only for limited operations, such as under four hours at one location in 24 hours with a 30-day gap before returning.