Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (2026)

Section 180-3 of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Code, added 5-24-2016 by Ord. No. 2016:10 and amended 12-19-2021 by Ord. No. 2021:26, regulates every movable restaurant, truck, van or other self-contained movable unit or pushcart from which food or beverage is sold or given away at temporary locations. Subsection B makes it unlawful to sell food or beverages in the Township without a mobile food vending license. Subsection D limits licensed vendors to nonresidential zone districts under Chapter 430.

One exception sits in subsection C(1): vendors selling only frozen desserts, snacks or confections can operate in residential zones from 11:00 a.m. through dusk, but not later than 8:00 p.m., May through September. Vendors at a prescheduled party, fair, carnival, festival or other permitted gathering are excluded from the chapter.

All other vendors keep to 8:00 a.m. through 10:00 p.m., Monday through Sunday, and no vendor can remain in any location for a total exceeding two hours. Overnight stays are banned, and the establishment must be occupied by the operator whenever it operates. Subsection H bars operating within 300 feet of any licensed restaurant. Subsection J says no vendor shall block the path of pedestrian travel on any public sidewalk. On private property, a notarized affidavit of permission and a site plan are required, the vendor occupies no more than two parking spaces, and it stays out of handicapped spaces, drive aisles, fire lanes and areas within 25 feet of a dumpster or fire exit. Vendors provide trash and recycling receptacles within 10 feet, clear debris within 25 feet, and offer no in-truck or outdoor dining or tables and chairs.

Applications go to the Township Health Officer with fingerprints and a Chief of Police background check. Insurance of $500,000 for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage is required, and the Health Officer inspects before issuing a one-year license. Township parks are separate: § 290-10 H bars commercial food sales in parks except licensed mobile vending at the Knoll Country Club.