Dearborn, MI Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (2026)

Chapter 12, Article VII, Street Vendors, makes it unlawful for any vendor to sell, display, or offer for sale food, beverages, goods, or merchandise anywhere in the city without first obtaining a license from the city clerk (Sec. 12-232). The article defines a "vendor" broadly to include anyone selling from a stand, motor vehicle, or their own person, and a "stand" as any newsstand, table, bench, booth, rack, or pushcart. Notably, Sec. 12-230 states the article does not apply to mobile food establishments, commonly called food trucks as defined by MCL 289.6135; those are licensed instead under the separate Article VIIA.

Applicants must submit identifying information, a description of what they will sell, their intended location, and vehicle registration and license numbers if a vehicle is used, and those vending vehicles get an annual police department safety inspection (Sec. 12-233). Food and beverage vendors also need health department approval and inspection (Sec. 12-234). A license is granted or denied in writing within 30 days and expires December 1 each year (Sec. 12-235). Self-grown produce sellers and honorably discharged veterans are exempt from the license fee but must still follow every other rule (Sec. 12-236); everyone else pays the annual fee set in Sec. 12-6, listed at $50.00 for a solicitor or vendor plus a $5.00 per-vehicle inspection fee, and $150.00 for a vendor vehicle license (Sec. 12-237). Vendors must carry public liability coverage of at least $100,000.00 naming the city as additional insured and sign a hold-harmless agreement before a license issues (Sec. 12-238), and must display both the license and a police-issued ID badge while vending (Sec. 12-239). Stands cannot block a building entrance or driveway, must stay 20 feet from handicapped parking or ramps, and must be kept clear of trash within 20 feet; stands are barred within 500 feet of a fire escape, bus stop, hospital, police or fire station, or an in-session school, and are prohibited outright on public property and public ways except for a city-approved special event (Sec. 12-240).