Bozeman, MT Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (2026)

Section 28.03.010 states that Bozeman regulates street and sidewalk vending downtown and in certain zoning districts to maintain safe and attractive rights of way. The operating standards are in section 28.03.070 and apply to every mobile vending operation on public or private property unless section 28.03.050(D) says otherwise. A sidewalk vending cart is one kind of mobile vending unit under section 28.03.030.

Pedestrian access comes first. Under subsection E the vendor cannot impede pedestrian access along the sidewalk or public right-of-way and must maintain a clear pedestrian pathway at all times. Units designed to sit on the sidewalk, such as carts, must first obtain an encroachment permit from the department of transportation and engineering. No item, including chairs, tables or signage, can be placed on the sidewalk. The serving window or customer access door cannot be adjacent to a tree, light pole, sculpture, bike rack, affixed trash can, newspaper dispenser, publication rack or any other permanently-mounted fixture. A unit cannot sit on or next to a sidewalk portion holding an active exclusive use permit or a non-substantial encroachment permit for a sidewalk cafe. Obstructions deemed unsafe or placed without approval are promptly removed.

Subsection N limits sales to people on the sidewalk: no selling or soliciting occupants of any vehicle or any person on a public street, and customers cannot reach the unit from the street. Other rules cover awnings that must be supported by the unit and cannot touch the ground, a portable trash receptacle with cleanup within 25 feet, no flashing, blinking or strobe lights, signs flush with the unit and not extending above it, no merchandise hung on trees, umbrellas or walls, no third party advertising, and a self-contained unit with no connection to city water or power. Units in the right-of-way can be no more than 36 feet long. Generators cannot exceed 60 dBA, and idling is prohibited while preparing or serving food.