Louisville, KY Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 115.357 Stationary Vendor Standards
- Permit required from
- Dept. of Codes and Regulations
- Flammable-storage buffer
- 50 feet minimum
- Adjoining-building buffer
- 20 feet on private property
- First-offense civil penalty
- $100 fine
Summary
Louisville Metro requires stationary vendors and carts to get a permit from Codes and Regulations, stay clear of flammable storage and adjoining buildings, and clean up daily: no leaving equipment on public right-of-way overnight.
All vendors licensed under this section shall conform to the following standards: ... (B) No vendor shall operate closer than 50 feet from flammable combustible liquid or gas storage and dispensing structures. ... (N) No portion of a vendor's inventory, sales equipment, or any other structure or equipment used in the sales or solicitation process shall be left overnight upon any public right-of-way within Louisville Metro.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-47: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ordinances passed by the Council and approved by the Mayor as of July 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Louisville Metro's stationary vendor standards (§ 115.357) apply to any vendor licensed under the chapter, including cart operators, who works from a vehicle or conveyance on public or private property without traveling the streets. Carts must stay at least 50 feet from flammable or combustible storage, 20 feet from any building on adjoining private property unless the owner gives written approval, and can't leave inventory, equipment, or the cart itself on a public right-of-way overnight. Signage is capped at one 6-square-foot temporary sign, and a separate permit from the Department of Codes and Regulations is required to operate in a public place under § 115.355. These rules govern Louisville Metro proper; home rule cities inside Jefferson County such as St. Matthews or Jeffersontown may set their own vending rules.
Violations & Fines
Vending without a license is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $500 fine and 30 days in jail. Metro can instead issue civil penalties: $100 for a first offense, $300 for a second, and $500 for a third within two years, plus 90 days of license ineligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do food carts need a permit in Louisville Metro?
How close can a vending cart sit to a building?
Can a vending cart stay on the sidewalk overnight?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Louisville
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