Boston, MA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Vending Zones (2026)

Boston manages food truck vending through a system of designated zones and location permits. The city assigns approved vending locations rather than allowing food trucks to park freely. Prime vending zones include the Rose Kennedy Greenway, City Hall Plaza, Boston Common/Public Garden perimeter, the Innovation District (Seaport), and various neighborhood locations. Location assignments are made by the Licensing Board in coordination with the Public Works Department and neighborhood input. Some locations operate on a rotational basis to give multiple vendors access to high-traffic areas. Food trucks must maintain a minimum distance from brick-and-mortar restaurants and may not block pedestrian or vehicular traffic. On-campus vending at universities requires separate agreements with the institution. Private property vending (such as office park lots) requires written permission from the property owner and compliance with all city licenses. Special event vending requires coordination with the event organizer and city permits.