Wayne, NJ Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)

Article II of Chapter 149 of the Wayne Township Code regulates itinerant food vendors, defined in § 149-4 as anyone who sells food or nonalcoholic beverages suitable for immediate consumption from a wagon, automobile or other vehicle that stays in an area only as long as needed to complete sales, not to exceed 30 minutes in any given area in one day.

Section 149-5 requires a license from the Health Officer or designee before anyone operates as an itinerant food vendor or as a salesman for one. The applicant must show Motor Vehicle Commission inspection, registration and insurance in accordance with New Jersey requirements. Except for a mobile industrial caterer, the licensed vendor must post a conspicuous sign on the vehicle listing the price of each item sold.

There are two licenses. The vehicle license under § 149-6 covers the named vehicle for one year, January 1 to December 31, and cannot be assigned or transferred. A salesman's license under § 149-7 runs on the same calendar term. Applications go to the Health Officer on Health Department forms, verified in writing. The vehicle application asks for the applicant's name and permanent home address, any convictions for a crime, misdemeanor, disorderly persons offense or municipal ordinance violation, proof of authority if the applicant represents someone else, and a full description of the vehicle and its owner (§ 149-8).

Fees are set in Chapter 75, Fees, per vehicle and per salesman, are not prorated, and are not refunded if a license is revoked (§ 149-10). After the Health Officer investigates and approves the application, the Health Department issues a numbered certificate that must be displayed at all times on a conspicuous part of the vehicle in clear view of patrons (§ 149-12).

Food rules also bind the license. Section 149-13 bars selling food prepared, cooked or packaged in a trailer, truck or car, though food from a commercial mobile kitchen meeting all State and local regulations can be approved by the Health Officer. Under § 149-14, food must come from a restaurant or kitchen licensed by the Township or another public health agency, and packages cannot be opened by the seller.