Twin Falls, ID Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)

Chapter 18 of Title 3 of the Twin Falls City Code regulates commercial vending, defined as peddling, vending, selling, displaying or offering items for sale from a temporary location. It covers vending carts, vending vehicles, sidewalk vending and street vending. Parking lot sales approved under the code and temporary children's vending stands are excluded.

Section 3-18-3 makes it unlawful for a commercial vendor, or its licensee, agent or employee, to operate in an unauthorized location, without a City license, without a valid health department permit, or in violation of health department regulations. Licenses are issued annually on a form from the City Clerk at the fee on the City fee schedule, and are issued or denied within ten business days after a complete application (§ 3-18-7).

The application includes a site plan or declaration of operation location, proof of liability insurance of at least $500,000 expiring no less than one year after approval, and workers' compensation as Idaho law requires (§ 3-18-4(D)). On public property the vendor also needs written permission, which the City Manager or designee decides for City-owned land, and a policy naming the City as additional insured (§ 3-18-5). Private property vending needs the owner's written permission and is not permitted in residential zones (§ 3-18-6).

Location limits include: 50 feet from residential uses, no vending on public property adjacent to Main Avenue between Fairfield Street and Idaho Street unless approved through a special event permit, no spot where clear sidewalk passage is five feet or less, ten feet from doorways (five with written consent), five feet from utility boxes, handicap ramps and fire hydrants, and ten feet between vending areas. Hours run 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., no vending area stays unattended more than fifteen consecutive minutes, drive-thru operations and city water and sewer connections are not permitted, and audio amplification is prohibited.

Each food preparation area needs a fire extinguisher approved by the Fire Marshal and a discharge location approvable by the City Engineer. The license, health permit and an open sign between 4x6 and 12x12 inches must be visible. Tents over 400 square feet need a Fire Department permit.