Hawaii County, HI Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- special activity permit, HCC § 22-2.5
- Issuing agency
- Dept. of Public Works director
- Max permit term
- 1 year (§ 22-3.3(b))
- Liability insurance
- $1,000,000 per occurrence minimum
- Fine for vending without permit
- $250 per incident
- Nonprofit exemption
- 501(c)(3)/school events, § 22-3.4.1
Summary
Selling food from a stand, cart or truck on any County street or sidewalk requires a special activity permit under HCC § 22-2.5. Operating without one is barred outright as commercial use of the public right-of-way, on top of any state or Department of Health food-safety permit the vendor needs.
Except as otherwise permitted by law, no person shall use any portion of a County street for displaying, vending, hawking, selling, renting, or leasing any goods, wares, food, merchandise, or other kinds of property without authorization through a special activity permit pursuant to section 22-3.3. Any permitted commercial activity shall not impede or inconvenience the public or any person in the lawful use of a County street.
Full Breakdown
3. To get one, an applicant submits a Department of Public Works form with contact information, proof of a valid Hawai'i business license, a description of the food or goods and the intended location and hours, a waste management plan, an indemnification agreement, and a $1,000,000 public liability policy naming the County as additional insured. 3(b) lets the director issue the permit for up to one year. The permit is required on top of, not instead of, any state Department of Health food establishment permit and county business license the vendor already needs. 2 lists the current allowable areas by district. 9.
Violations & Fines
Vending on a County street without the special activity permit draws a $250 fine per incident under HCC § 22-3.4(a), and paying it does not excuse the vendor from getting the permit or from any other penalty in the chapter. The director can also revoke an existing permit under § 22-3.4(b) for noncompliance with its conditions, and failing to keep the permit posted at the site is a separate $250 fine under § 22-3.4.2.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell plate lunch from a truck parked on a Hilo street?
Is a food truck street permit the same as a health permit?
What's the fine for vending without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hawaii County
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