St. Louis, MO Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (2026)
Key Facts
- Hours
- 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. only
- License cost
- $200/year plus $25 application fee
- Vendor spacing
- 150 feet from other vendors
- Insurance required
- $25,000/$50,000 bodily injury, $10,000 property
- Penalty
- $100-$500 fine, up to 90 days jail
Summary
Sidewalk and vehicle vendors in St. Louis need a $200 annual license, may only operate 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., and must stay 150 feet from other vendors or competing businesses selling similar goods.
A. The business of sidewalk or vehicle vending shall only be permitted between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. B. No pushcart or other vehicle related to the operation of a vending business shall be located on any City sidewalk or other public way during non-vending hours, nor shall any such pushcart or other item be parked, stored or left overnight ... F. No licensed vendor shall conduct a vending business within 150 feet from another licensed vendor or an existing business which sells or offers for sale comparable goods or merchandise.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 11).
Full Breakdown
St. Louis licenses sidewalk and vehicle vendors through the License Collector, charging a $200 annual fee plus a $25 application fee, and requires $25,000/$50,000 bodily injury and $10,000 property damage insurance on every vending vehicle before the license issues. Vending is confined to 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., carts may not be stored overnight on a sidewalk, and vendors must stay at least 150 feet from another licensed vendor or a business selling comparable goods, and 300 feet from a fair or festival without the organizer's written consent. Vending outside a designated Vending District is banned entirely.
Violations & Fines
Violating any provision draws a fine of $100 to $500, up to 90 days in jail, or both, and the License Collector must revoke the vendor's license without a refund.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell food on any St. Louis sidewalk?
What hours can a St. Louis sidewalk vendor operate?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Louis
Compare St. Louis to another location·View the Missouri food trucks & mobile vendors overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.