Virginia Beach, VA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (2026)
Key Facts
- Business-area food peddling
- Banned within 300 ft of 2+ retailers
- Right-of-way vending time limit
- 15 minutes per block, then move
- Vending street speed limit
- 25 mph or less only
- Penalty
- Class 1 misdemeanor
- Private-lot permit fee
- $25 plat/site plan review fee
Summary
Peddling ice cream, hot dogs, sandwiches and similar food from a cart, wagon or vehicle is banned within 300 feet of two or more retail businesses; other street food sales need a city permit and must move every 15 minutes.
No person shall peddle ice cream, ice confectioneries, candies, confections, bottled soft drinks, hot dogs or wrapped sandwiches from a cart, wagon, truck, automobile, basket or tray in any business area within the city. For the purpose of this section, the term "business area" shall mean an area within three hundred (300) feet of two (2) or more retail businesses.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 170 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 13-37 makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor to peddle ice cream, candies, bottled soft drinks, hot dogs or wrapped sandwiches from a cart, wagon, truck, automobile, basket or tray within 300 feet of two or more retail businesses: effectively barring foot and cart food vending in Virginia Beach's commercial districts. Outside those areas, § 33-6 lets vendors sell food or goods from a pushcart or vehicle in the public right-of-way, but only for 15 minutes per block, not repeated in the same block within 8 hours, never within 25 feet of an intersection, and never on a street posted above 25 mph.
Violations & Fines
Violating either section is a Class 1 misdemeanor; § 33-6 also lets the city manager revoke a vendor's right-of-way permit upon conviction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell food from a cart on a Virginia Beach sidewalk near stores?
What about vending elsewhere in the public right-of-way?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Virginia Beach
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