Nicholasville, KY Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (2026)

Section 17-26 lists conditions every itinerant merchant must meet, and food carts, trucks and trailers all fall inside the § 17-24(c) definition. Four conditions govern the public way directly. Under § 17-26(m), a merchant shall not block access to or use of any public bench or any public utility pole or set up any chairs or tables on the public right-of-way. Under § 17-26(o), a merchant shall not damage public property or the public right-of-way, and the code names stakes, rods or any support that must be drilled, driven or otherwise fixed in asphalt pavement, curbs, sidewalks or buildings as examples.

The merchant is solely responsible for any such damage. Under § 17-26(l), no electrical outlet in the public right-of-way or on public property can be used unless the City of Nicholasville, and the utility company if required, specifically authorizes it, and the merchant cannot create a tripping hazard. Under § 17-26(n), a merchant cannot park or operate in a way that unreasonably interferes with parking in otherwise available spaces. Section 17-26(h) makes the merchant responsible for litter or debris within a five (5) feet radius of the operation, including sidewalks in the immediate vicinity, and bars use of city trash receptacles.

Section 17-28(d) bars business on public property, including the public right-of-way, unless the merchant has additional licensure and the city has designated the property through a resolution, ordinance or pilot program or otherwise given express permission. Section 17-24(b) defines downtown as the area bounded by Richmond Avenue, North Third Street, East Brown Street and West Brown Street, including sidewalks inside those boundaries, and § 17-27 limits hours to 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. unless authorized otherwise.