Perth Amboy, NJ Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (2026)
Key Facts
- Cart size on sidewalk
- Two feet wide, four feet long, four feet high
- Add-on structures
- Tables, crates, cartons and racks prohibited
- Operating hours
- 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- License fees
- $500 fixed, $200 mobile, plus $25 per employee
- Food permit
- Department of Health permit required in addition
- Penalty
- Fine of $100 to $1,000, up to 90 days
Summary
In the City of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, a cart conducting business on a sidewalk cannot exceed two feet wide, four feet long and four feet high including wheels, and no table, rack or other structure can add selling space. Peddlers need a City Clerk license, a Health Department food permit, and operate only 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The dimensions of a cart shall not exceed two (2) feet in width, four (4) feet in length and four (4) feet in height including wheel height, while conducting business on any sidewalk. ... The use of any table, crate, carton, rack device or structure of any kind to increase the selling or display capacity of the cart is prohibited. ... The use of any vehicle which exceeds ninety-six (96) inches in width, thirty-five (35) feet in length and thirteen feet six (13'6") inches in height or exceeds the dimensions of the designated space for fixed peddlers is prohibited.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 317, Article I of the Perth Amboy City Code, amended in its entirety 3-9-2011 by Ord. No. 1548-2011, governs peddlers in the City of Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey. Section 317-18.1, amended 5-10-2017 by Ord. No. 1847-2017, fixes the cart limits: two feet in width, four feet in length and four feet in height including wheel height while conducting business on any sidewalk, with any table, crate, carton, rack device or structure added to increase selling or display capacity prohibited. A vehicle cannot exceed 96 inches in width, 35 feet in length and 13 feet 6 inches in height.
No peddler sells goods, wares, services or merchandise within the city without a peddler license from the City Clerk under § 317-2. Fees under § 317-9 are $500 for a fixed location peddler, $200 for a mobile peddler and $500 for a transient merchant, including a $50 nonrefundable processing fee, plus $25 per employee. Anyone selling food or drink also needs a permit from the Department of Health under § 317-17, and a peddler using propane to prepare food applies to the Fire Prevention Bureau under § 317-2B. Total licenses cannot exceed 30, and foot peddlers are prohibited within the City limits under § 317-18A.
Fixed locations are named in § 317-2.3, including Washington Park, Rudyk Park, Caledonia Park, Patten Center, Chamberlain Avenue Field and Sadowski Park. Mobile peddlers must move their vehicle or cart every 15 minutes, keep at least a one-block radius from any fixed peddler, and stay 200 feet from a school during school hours or a house of worship during services (§ 317-2.4). Amboy Avenue, Convery Boulevard, Hall Avenue, New Brunswick Avenue, Smith Street and State Street are closed to peddling for their entire length. Licenses run 180 days, and other than Train Station licensees, no one commences operations before March 1 or operates past October 31. Hours are 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and all trash is removed daily. Storefront sidewalk sales under § 386-3B do not allow food or beverages.
Violations & Fines
Section 317-20 punishes any violation of the peddler article, on conviction, by a fine of not less than $100 and not exceeding $1,000, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 90 days, or both, with a separate offense on each day the violation continues. Under § 317-19, the Chief or Deputy Chief of Police can suspend or revoke a license for just cause after written notice and an opportunity for a hearing before the governing body.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big can a vending cart be on a Perth Amboy sidewalk?
What licenses does a sidewalk food vendor need?
Where and when can a mobile vendor operate?
Can a storefront sell food at a sidewalk sale?
Sources & Official References
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