Evansville, IN Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (2026)
Key Facts
- Prohibited hours
- 2:00 a.m.–7:00 a.m.
- Intersection setback
- 15 feet
- Competitor setback
- 35 feet from same-class retailer
- Trash-free radius
- 15 feet around cart
Summary
Evansville limits permitted street vending carts to a designated parking area, bars operation before 7 a.m. or after 2 a.m., and sets minimum distances from intersections and competing stores.
Permittee shall not locate its cart so as to be within 15 feet of an intersection or to be within 35 feet of the front door of a fixed retail establishment selling the same class of product without the permission of the fixed retail establishment.
(F) Permittee may sell only from an approved cart. Permittee may not operate between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. Permittee shall be open pursuant to the hours stated in its application. Failure of the permittee to operate during those hours may result in permittee’s license being revoked.
(G) Permittee’s cart shall remain in good repair, clean and freshly painted. The design of the vehicle, trailer or cart, including the identification and any signs, shall be subject to the prior approval of the Evansville Redevelopment Commission under the standards of the municipal code.
(H) Permittee shall be responsible for keeping the City streets, sidewalks, and rights-of-way free of garbage and trash within a 15-foot radius of the cart. Permittee shall provide refuse receptacles.
(I) Permittee shall cooperate with and comply with directives of the Police Department, Fire Department, and Board of Public Works as they relate to personal safety. Permittee shall fully cooperate with City officials during special events and activities as well as inclement weather and emergencies.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance G-2026-12, passed June 22, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Evansville Municipal Code 5.25.060 sets detailed operating rules for permitted vending carts: no shouting, horns, bells, or amplified sound; no signage beyond a price list and a business-name sign; no blocking pedestrian or vehicle traffic; and carts must stay at least 15 feet from an intersection and at least 35 feet from the front door of a fixed retail store selling the same class of product, absent that store's permission. Carts may operate only during the hours stated in the application and never between 2:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m., must remain in a 15-foot radius kept free of trash, and cannot be left unattended on any public street, sidewalk, or right-of-way. Vendor vehicles and trailers are further confined to the parking area the City Controller designates.
Violations & Fines
Failing to operate within approved hours, exceeding the noise or distance rules, or leaving a cart unattended can result in the license being revoked, plus the general penalty in EMC 1.05.180 and possible permit forfeiture under EMC 5.05.020.
Frequently Asked Questions
How close can an Evansville vending cart sit to a rival store selling the same product?
Can a vending cart stay out overnight in Evansville?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Evansville
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