Laredo, TX Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (2026)

Laredo's street vending framework, Chapter 28, Article V of the Code of Ordinances, treats sidewalk food carts as one of three regulated vending categories: contract vending inside the Central Business District (Sec. 28-105), permitted vending outside the CBD (Sec. 28-106), and special event vending (Sec. 28-107). Sec. 28-104 lists the requirements every category must satisfy. The vendor's goods, cart and any motor vehicle must be freely available for inspection by the health department at any time. Any vendor handling food must obtain and keep current all required health department food establishment permits and licenses.

Sales are barred within 600 feet of any school's property line unless the vendor also holds a valid special event vendor's permit for that specific location. Vendors must comply with all traffic and parking rules and cannot obstruct pedestrian or street traffic in any way while vending. Every vendor working a cart or motorized vehicle must wear a current street vendor picture ID, issued and renewed yearly by the health department after a criminal background check and a $20 fee; replacement cards cost another $20.

'Goods' sold under a street vendor's or special event permit are limited to sealed, prepackaged food items and 'raspas,' per the Sec. 28-102 definitions, and must be approved for sale by the appropriate authorities. Sec. 28-109 lets the issuing department revoke a permit immediately if a vendor fails to renew a required health permit, breaks a permit term, violates any city ordinance or state law while vending, or is convicted of a felony within a year of applying.