Madison, WI Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (2026)
Key Facts
- Basic annual license
- $250.00; runs April 15 through April 14
- Basic monthly license
- $150.00; lasts 30 days
- Application and payment dates
- Apply by February 1; pay by April 1
- Late fees
- $50.00 late application; $75.00 late payment
- Forfeiture
- $30 to $300 per separate violation
- Residential hours ban
- No vending 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
- Sidewalk clearance
- 6 feet of unobstructed walkway required
Summary
Madison makes it unlawful to sell goods, food, or services from any highway, street, alley, sidewalk, or public square without a street vending license under Sec. 9.13. A Basic annual license costs $250.00 and runs April 15 to April 14, and each violation of the vending rules carries a forfeiture of $30 to $300.
It shall be unlawful for any person upon any highway, street, alley, sidewalk, or public square, to vend, sell or offer for sale or procure the sale of any services, goods, wares, tokens, or foodstuffs, or any other article of any kind; by preparing or setting up a booth, vending cart, truck, stand, vehicle or equipment of any kind from which the vending activity directly occurs; preparing food, beverage or articles for sale; stopping a vehicle or person on foot; interacting with potential customers in or around the vending site; taking names for the purpose of making future sales; offering applications or other materials for future sales; making an Extended Delivery as defined in Sec. 9.13 (1)(b)5.; or in any other manner participating in the vending operation or attempting to publicly sell or offer for sale any such articles or services upon any highway, street, alley, sidewalk, or public square; unless such person shall have first applied for and obtained the appropriate license(s) required by this Section, Sec. 9.135 , or 9.136 , or is exempt from license under another provision herein.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 9.13(1) reaches well beyond the moment of sale. Setting up a booth, cart, truck, or stand, preparing food, stopping a passerby, taking names for future sales, and handing out application materials all count as vending, as does any activity that furthers the operation at the site, whether or not the cart is open. Only delivering the cart and supplies to and from the site is excluded. Unlicensed people cannot remain at a site except waiting customers. Extended Delivery, meaning food or drink delivered to more than five customers at the same place and time on the public right-of-way, is banned citywide, and no permit exists for it.
The Basic Street Vending license is filed with the Director of Planning and Community and Economic Development. Table A sets the Basic annual fee at $250.00, with an application due date of February 1, a $50.00 late application fee, a payment due date of April 1, and a $75.00 late payment fee. A Basic monthly license costs $150.00 and lasts 30 days. Annual licenses run from April 15, or the issue date if later, through April 14. An approved license is not valid until payment is received, is nontransferable, and must be displayed where sales are made. Food vendors who need helpers can buy a $600.00 Basic Umbrella license. Anyone selling event tickets also needs a $25 photo ID badge from the Madison Police Department.
Sec. 9.13(4) sets the placement rules for every vendor: 10 feet from a fire hydrant, 5 feet from a standpipe or bus stop, 10 feet from a curbcut or marked crosswalk, 2 feet from the curb, and 2½ feet from a parking meter. Six feet of sidewalk must stay clear, equipment sits on paved surfaces inside a 10 by 12 foot site, and a vendor cannot leave the site unattended for more than 90 minutes. Vending is barred from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. in residentially zoned districts. Bike paths and recreational trails are off limits, and certain arterial or collector streets over 25 miles per hour next to schools are closed to vending unless the Vending Oversight Committee approves.
Violations & Fines
Any person or licensee violating Sec. 9.13 or its regulations faces a forfeiture of not less than $30 nor more than $300 for each separate violation. Police and the Director can remove equipment, and the violator pays removal, towing, and storage charges. After notice and a hearing, the Common Council can suspend a license for up to six months or revoke or not renew it for up to one year.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
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Sidewalk & Mobile Vending in Nearby Cities
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