Winston-Salem, NC Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- Office of Business Inclusion and Advancement
- Application fee
- $75.00 per cart/unit
- Extra badge fee
- $10.00 per badge over two
- Permit term
- July 1 to June 30
- Max penalty
- $500.00 fine
Summary
Winston-Salem requires anyone selling food, beverages, or merchandise from a pushcart, mobile food unit, or on foot on any street, sidewalk, or public park to first obtain a vendor's permit from the Office of Business Inclusion and Advancement.
It shall be unlawful to sell, or offer for sale, any food, beverage or merchandise on foot or from any pushcart or mobile food unit on any right-of-way, street, sidewalk or public park within the city without first obtaining a permit therefore, pursuant to the provisions contained in this article, from the office of business inclusion and advancement. All persons who sell or offer for sale any food, beverage or merchandise from any licensed pushcart or mobile food unit shall display a city-issued identification badge.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 102 | Personnel: Supplement 96 | Water and Sewer: Supplement 56 | Solid Waste: Supplement 15).
Full Breakdown
City code makes it unlawful to sell or offer for sale food, beverages, or merchandise from a pushcart, mobile food unit, or on foot on any right-of-way, street, sidewalk, or public park within the city without first obtaining a permit from the Office of Business Inclusion and Advancement. Everyone who sells from a licensed pushcart or mobile food unit must display a city-issued identification badge. Applications cost $75.00 per pushcart or mobile food unit plus $10.00 for each badge beyond two, and must include a description of goods and proposed locations, photographs, county health department approval, and proof of liability insurance. Permits run July 1 through June 30 each year.
Violations & Fines
Vending without a permit, or without displaying the required city identification badge, is a class 3 misdemeanor under G.S. 14-4, punishable by a fine of up to $500.00 per violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Winston-Salem
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