Salem, OR Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (2026)

SRC 30.905 caps the size of a street vendor's pushcart or similar conveyance at three feet six inches in width and six feet in length, and requires the cart to be structurally and mechanically sound so its design does not create a public hazard. SRC 30.915(a) then restricts where a vendor may set up: no vendor gets an exclusive right to any sidewalk location or a permanent stationary spot, and none may occupy space within ten feet of the inside crosswalk mark at a corner, ten feet of an alleyway entrance, eight feet of a building doorway, or in front of any restaurant fronting the street or alley.

Once located, SRC 30.915(b) requires the cart to stay on the public sidewalk with a minimum five-foot clearance maintained at all times so pedestrians can pass. SRC 30.915(c) makes vendors responsible for picking up paper, cardboard, wood, or plastic litter dropped by customers within 20 feet of the cart while it's stationary and doing business, and SRC 30.915(d) bars loud or unreasonable noise used to advertise or attract attention. Carts cannot be left unattended on a sidewalk between midnight and 6:00 a.m. under SRC 30.915(e).

Before a license issues, SRC 30.910 requires the vendor to file a certificate of public liability, food products liability, and property damage insurance meeting the minimum coverage set in the Oregon Tort Claims Act (ORS 30.260-30.300), naming the City as an additional insured with 30 days' notice before cancellation. SRC 30.930 further requires all state and county health and sanitary licenses before a vendor can operate.