Chicopee, MA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (2026)

Section 188-17 of the Chicopee Code governs transient vendors, hawkers, peddlers, door-to-door sales, flea markets and charitable events. A hawker or peddler is any person, principal or agent, who goes from place to place in the same town selling or carrying for sale any goods, wares or merchandise, on foot or from any animal or vehicle, which covers a cart, a walking vendor and a food truck.

Subsection C(1) lets hawkers and peddlers sell newspapers, religious publications, ice, flowering plants and uncultivated flowers, fruits, nuts and berries without a license. Subsection C(2) then requires a license for peddlers of meats, butters, cheese, fish and fresh fruits or vegetables, and it names hot dogs, hamburgers, meat sandwiches and grinders, ice cream, flavored ice, and all other food items and snacks. City owned and operated ice cream trucks are outside it. On granting a license, the Council can impose restrictions and conditions on hours of operation and other terms needed to protect the citizens of the City of Chicopee.

Public space is protected by C(6): no street or alley can be blocked by merchandise offered for sale, a two-foot passageway for pedestrians has to be left open, merchandise must be securely and adequately placed so it will not endanger passersby or fall or extend into any street or alley, and sales cannot create a nuisance or fire hazard. The Police Department inspects to make sure of compliance (C(7)). No person hawking or peddling can cry their wares to the disturbance of the peace and comfort of the inhabitants (D(5)).

The process runs through the Police Department under subsection G. Each person pays a fee of $25 to apply, registers in the Police Department's registration book with name, address, two references, fingerprints and a photograph taken within 60 days, and the registration is valid for one year. The license must be carried and shown on demand to any police officer, and it cannot be assigned or transferred. The Chief of Police can revoke a license after notice and hearing, and an appeal goes to the City Council by written statement filed with the City Clerk within 14 days. An ice cream truck applicant must also comply with MGL c. 270, § 25 and 520 CMR 15.00, including a CORI check.