New Haven, CT Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (2026)
Key Facts
- Max height
- 10 feet including canopy
- Max size
- 8 ft long x 5 ft wide
- Wheels required
- 2 to 4 functioning wheels
- Clearance
- 20 ft from entrances/hydrants
Summary
New Haven caps pushcarts at 10 feet tall, 8 feet long, and 5 feet wide, requires 2 to 4 wheels, and keeps them off building entrances, hydrants, and crosswalks under the city's vending ordinance.
The height of the pushcart, including canopies, umbrellas, or transparent enclosures, shall not exceed ten (10) feet. The maximum length of the pushcart shall be eight (8) feet, and maximum width shall be five (5) feet. Each pushcart shall have a minimum of two (2) wheels and no more than four (4) wheels and shall be functional and decorative.(b)Pushcarts shall be built of durable materials that are easy to keep clean and are appropriate for exterior use and which will withstand strong winds. If wood is used it shall be painted or otherwise coated to create a glossy finish. No bare or pressure treated wood without an additional glossy finish coating is permitted.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 31 | Zoning: Supplement 32).
Full Breakdown
Under Sec. 17-11.10 of the vending ordinance, a licensed pushcart vendor's cart cannot exceed 10 feet in height (including canopies), 8 feet in length, or 5 feet in width, and must have 2 to 4 functioning wheels plus brakes or chocks to hold it in place. Carts must be built of durable, easy-to-clean materials: any wood must carry a glossy protective finish, never bare or pressure-treated wood. Carts must sit fully on the paved sidewalk, stay 20 feet from building entrances, driveways, hydrants, and bus stops, and leave a 5-foot clear pedestrian path; where that width doesn't exist, vending is prohibited outright.
Violations & Fines
Vending without the required license, or with a noncompliant cart, can draw suspension of a vendor's parking or sidewalk site license under Sec. 17-11.16: 30 days for a first violation, 90 days for a second, revocation for a third.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a pushcart vendor use bare wood construction in New Haven?
How close can a pushcart sit to a building entrance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New Haven
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