Portland, ME Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (2026)

Sec. 19-17 sets the core rule for Chapter 19's Article II, Division 2 street-vendor license: subsection (a) requires all street vendors conducting business on any street, way or public place to hold a license issued by the Department of Permitting and Inspections. Subsection (b) confines that license to food sales, makes it additional to any other license, permit or authority state or city law requires, and lets a licensed street vendor obtain a separate license to use up to seven square feet of sidewalk space, solely for storing up to two coolers that stay in contact with the pushcart at all times of operation.

Sec. 19-18 governs the application: beyond the general information Sec. 15-5 requires of every city license applicant, a street vendor's application must describe the business, the goods or services sold, and the equipment used, including its estimated value. No license issues until the applicant files a certificate, in a form the corporation counsel accepts, showing public liability insurance coverage of at least the maximum liability applicable under state law, naming the City of Portland as an additional insured, and providing the department at least 30 days' notice before any cancellation.

Street goods vendors and street artists face an additional constraint under Sec. 19-17(c): they may only operate during a council-declared festival or special event under Sec. 19-22, with the sponsoring organization's or Parks and Recreation Department's approval, and must pay the fee set by Sec. 25-27(e).