Royal Oak Township, MI Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)

Scope first. The Charter Township of Royal Oak Code, in Oakland County, Michigan, does not use the terms food truck or mobile food unit. The one mobile food vending provision is Chapter 18, Article II, Ice Cream Truck Vending, adopted by Ord. No. 197 on 8-14-2008. Section 18-19 defines an ice cream truck as any motor vehicle in which ice cream, ice milk, frozen dairy products or ice flavored with syrup are carried for purposes of retail on the streets, and says the definition is intended to be interpreted broadly. Vending means offering those products for sale from a motor vehicle on the streets, also interpreted broadly. A truck selling other foods is not named.

Requirements. Section 18-21 makes it unlawful for ice cream vendors to operate an ice cream truck business without meeting three requirements: vendors must be licensed through the township, must show proof of liability insurance on the ice cream truck, and must show certification from the county board of health. The article prints no fee, no application form and no named issuing official for the ice cream license.

Penalty. Under § 18-20, an individual convicted of violating § 18-21 is guilty of a municipal civil infraction with a civil fine not to exceed $500.00 and is prevented from operating an ice cream truck business in the township.

Other chapters that reach mobile vendors. Chapter 14 extends its merchant provisions to hawkers, peddlers, solicitors, transient merchants and itinerant dispensers of any goods, wares and merchandise (§ 14-1). Section 14-23 requires every merchant to procure a merchant's license from the Township Clerk before conducting any business, expiring December 31 of the year issued. Under § 14-24(a)(3), no license under that chapter issues to a person who must hold a Michigan state license until the person submits evidence of the state license and proof that all fees have been paid. Ask the Township Clerk how Chapter 14 applies to a particular truck.

Where vending is barred. Section 18-6(a) bars a stand, booth or other place of business on any street curb, sidewalk or public right-of-way, and § 17-45 requires a director's permit for a stand, cart or vehicle in a Township park.