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DeKalb County, GA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Hours allowed
Noon to 8:00 p.m.
Items
Pre-packaged snacks/drinks only
License
GA Dept. of Agriculture required
Stop limit
15 minutes maximum
Coverage
Unincorporated DeKalb only

Summary

Unincorporated DeKalb limits sidewalk food-cart vending to noon-8 p.m., pre-packaged snacks and drinks only, a displayed state license, and 15-minute stops on public rights-of-way.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of DeKalb County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

It shall be unlawful to sell...any food or beverage for human consumption from any pushcart, bicycle cart, motorized cart or other type of motor vehicle on the public streets, sidewalks or...rights-of-way of unincorporated areas of the county unless specifically allowed...Pushcarts...are permitted to sell their products...between the hours of noon and 8:00 p.m. only if they limit their inventory to...ice cream, popsicles, frozen desserts, candies, confections, chips, crackers, cookies, popcorn, pastries, and/or canned/bottled drinks...All items must be pre-packaged for sale.

View official code

Full Breakdown

County Code § 16-3 bars selling food or beverages from a pushcart, bicycle cart, motorized cart or vehicle on unincorporated DeKalb's streets, sidewalks and rights-of-way except as the section allows. Vending is permitted only noon to 8:00 p.m., limited to pre-packaged ice cream, candy, chips, cookies, popcorn, pastries and canned or bottled drinks. Vendors must display a Georgia Department of Agriculture license and a current business occupation tax certificate, post slow-moving-vehicle signage, and cannot park more than 15 minutes or within 10 feet of a hydrant, driveway, bus stop or intersection.

Violations & Fines

Operating outside permitted hours, selling non-pre-packaged food, missing state license, or blocking a right-of-way beyond the 15-minute limit is a citable Code violation enforced by county employees and police.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a food cart sell hot, made-to-order food on a DeKalb County sidewalk?
No. Section 16-3 restricts unincorporated-area sidewalk vending to pre-packaged items like ice cream, candy, chips and bottled drinks, not hot or made-to-order food.
Does this rule apply in Decatur or Dunwoody?
No. It governs only unincorporated DeKalb County; Decatur, Dunwoody, Brookhaven, Tucker, Stonecrest and the county's other cities enforce their own vending codes.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in DeKalb County

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsVending ZonesSome RestrictionsFood Truck PermitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseLight RestrictionsParking Rules: Preferential Parking DistrictsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSignificant Restrictions

All DeKalb County rules

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