Springfield, IL Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)

Sec. 01(a) bars anyone from operating a temporary or mobile food service establishment on a city right-of-way, other city-owned or controlled property, or private property without first obtaining a temporary or mobile food service vendor permit. That permit cannot be issued until the operator already holds a temporary or mobile food service establishment license and certificate to operate; the director of the office of public works, or a designee, approves the permit itself (Sec. 01(b)). Vending on private property has its own hurdle: the applicant must prove ownership or provide a notarized statement from the property owner or manager consenting to the operation, including a start and end date, and building and zoning must review the application to confirm permits, parking plans, and code compliance are in order (Sec.

01(c)-(d)). Structures permanently anchored to a foundation and properly permitted as such fall outside this permit scheme entirely (Sec. 01(e)). Fees are set by permit length: an annual mobile food service vendor permit costs $250, expires December 31, and applications are due by November 1 of the prior year, while a temporary permit costs $50 per location, expires 14 days after issuance, and must be filed at least ten working days before the date needed (Sec. 02(a)-(b)). Locations for annual permits are listed at application; renewal applicants get preference for their prior spot if they apply in October.