West New York, NJ Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (2026)

Chapter 254 of the Code of the Town of West New York, in Hudson County, New Jersey, makes it unlawful to carry on any mobile or street food business without complying with the chapter (§ 254-1). Section 254-8 defines a mobile or street food vendor as anyone selling food products from a vehicle, self-powered or otherwise, on the public and private streets and sidewalks of the Town. The Board of Commissioners adopted the chapter on 10-19-2017 by Ord. No. 23/17, and the permit cap in § 254-2(A) was amended 7-27-2022 by Ord. No. 17/22.

Applications go to the Health Officer, and renewals are due no later than the last business day of November. A lapsed permit holder is treated as a first-time applicant with no preference. The Health Officer sends a copy to the Police and Fire Departments and the Zoning Officer or the Construction Official, and the Police Department reports on placement, route, traffic flow and use of public facilities. Each applicant lists three locations in order of preference, and a mobile vendor such as an ice cream, fruit or vegetable seller states a route and the time at each block. The license can be revoked if the location has a negative effect on public access, safety or traffic. A food handler's certificate under Chapter 207 is required, and a vendor selling from a truck must carry public liability insurance of not less than $500,000 per occurrence and property damage insurance of not less than $25,000.

The Commissioner over the Department of Health issues or denies the license within 10 days after all investigative reports are submitted. A denied applicant can appeal to the Board of Commissioners or the Special Hearing Officer/Special Counsel by filing with the Health Department within 10 days, and the hearing is set not less than 30 days and not more than 45 days after receipt of the notice. A reinspection fee of $150 applies after an unsatisfactory or conditional satisfactory rating (§ 254-10).

Selling off a sidewalk is a separate matter. Section 352-4 makes it unlawful to erect or maintain stands or showcases, or display or sell merchandise on or from the sidewalks of the town.