Ann Arbor, MI Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- City Administrator
- Annual fee
- $1.00 per sq ft
- Daily fee
- $0.05 per sq ft
- Food vendors
- Need County Health Officer cert
- Cart limit
- Max 24 hrs, can't be unattended
Summary
Ann Arbor requires a revocable permit from the City Administrator to occupy street or sidewalk space for selling goods, with fees running $1 per square foot annually or 5 cents daily.
The City Administrator may issue revocable permits to occupy a portion of any city street or sidewalk if the Administrator determines the occupancy will not: (a) Interfere with the use of the street or sidewalk for pedestrian or vehicular travel... The fee for annual sidewalk occupancy permits shall be $1.00 for each square foot of sidewalk area to be occupied for the period beginning June 1 and ending May 31. The fee for a daily sidewalk occupancy permit shall be $0.05 per day for each square foot of sidewalk area to be occupied.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 26 Update 4).
Full Breakdown
Under City Code section 4:14, anyone selling goods or services from a street or sidewalk in Ann Arbor needs a revocable occupancy permit from the City Administrator, who can deny one that blocks pedestrian or vehicle travel, narrows a sidewalk below 6 feet, or sits within 75 feet of a competing business without that business's consent. Annual permits run June 1 to May 31 and cost $1.00 per square foot; daily permits cost $0.05 per square foot. Food vendors need County Health Officer certification first, and a vendor cart can't sit in place more than 24 hours or go unattended, on penalty of seizure.
Violations & Fines
Civil infraction for pedestrian obstruction up to $1,000 plus costs; unattended or overstayed vendor carts are subject to seizure and impoundment by the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to sell food from a cart on an Ann Arbor sidewalk?
How much does an Ann Arbor sidewalk vending permit cost?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ann Arbor
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