Olympia, WA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (2026)

The sidewalk rules in the City of Olympia sit inside the temporary use standards of OMC § 18.06.060(Z)(3)(c). They apply to mobile vendors located within the sidewalk right-of-way, and they come on top of the temporary use permit and the property owner approval that every mobile vendor needs. Only one mobile sidewalk vendor is permitted per block face, and the public sidewalk must have a minimum width of eight feet. Around the vendor, the clear walking area can never be less than forty-eight inches. Inside the downtown Pedestrian Walking Lane area delineated in OMC 9.16.180(B), Figure 1, the clear walking area must be at least six feet.

The stand itself is limited. The maximum length of space occupied by a mobile sidewalk vendor and equipment is eight feet. Stands must be readily movable at all times, and vendors must locate them at the back of the sidewalk away from the curb. Locations are approved on a first-come, first-serve basis, so the City of Olympia does not reserve a block face for any one operator. Every mobile sidewalk vendor must sign a Hold Harmless Agreement with the City of Olympia before operating.

The general temporary use standards in OMC § 18.06.060(Z)(2) also reach sidewalk vendors. Hours of operation, including generators and lot lighting, are limited to 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. unless the Planning Director or the Director's designee specifies otherwise in writing. When the permit ends, the use and every structure and sign must be removed within three days. A mobile vendor permit runs one year from issuance, and the vendor must still obtain every permit required by other agencies having jurisdiction.