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

Section 5.14.010 defines a "vending cart" as a nonmotorized cart used to prepare, store and sell food products. Section 5.14.040 lists vending carts among the sidewalk uses the city allows for adjoining property or business owners, alongside merchandise display, sidewalk furniture and sidewalk cafes, but bars any use that encroaches into the portion of the right-of-way used by vehicular traffic. Section 5.14.020 requires a sidewalk use license from the Development Services Department before operating, and Section 5.14.050 lets the department attach conditions on placement, hours, cleanliness and equipment upkeep.

Under the license matrix in Section 5.14.090, a vending cart operator must sign a release of liability and carry private commercial general liability insurance naming the city as an additional insured, but is not required to post a surety instrument or go through a public hearing, unlike a sidewalk cafe license. Section 5.14.130(G) requires that any vending cart be removed from the city right-of-way daily, and the general design standards require at least five feet of unobstructed pedestrian travel space and placement no closer than two feet from the curb.

Section 5.14.080 requires the licensee to return the sidewalk to its original, pre-license condition at no cost to the city once the license expires or vending stops, and Section 5.14.100 requires the vendor to keep the area clean and clear it immediately if ordered by the development services director, police chief or fire chief for public safety reasons.