West Des Moines, IA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)

Section 3-7-4(A) makes it unlawful for anyone to sell food or beverages to the public from a temporary or mobile facility inside West Des Moines without a mobile food unit license from the City, in addition to whatever state, federal, or county permits apply; catering businesses, brick-and-mortar grilling for on-site patrons, and approved sports-venue concession stands are exempt. Each mobile food unit needs its own license, which cannot be transferred between units, and the license runs on an annual cycle that expires at 11:59 P.M. on April 14 every year regardless of when it was issued.

Section 3-7-4(C) adds a fire department inspection requirement for any unit with cooking facilities or grease-laden vapors, classified by the state as Class III or IV; those units also needed an approved suppression system installed by April 15, 2017, while Class I and II units, which serve only prepackaged or limited hot foods, are not required to undergo the fire inspection. Section 3-7-4(D) sets the application process: vendors file with the city clerk on the City's own form, must submit at least 10 business days before their proposed start date, though the clerk has discretion to accept late applications, and must include the vehicle's make, model, year, license plate, and dimensions, along with photographs of the unit and the fire department's inspection sign-off for Class III and IV units.

An application left incomplete for 30 days after the City's last written request is deemed withdrawn, and the application fee is not refunded if that happens.