Cleveland, OH Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Vending Zones (2026)

Cleveland Codified Ordinances § 675.06 lets the Director of Capital Projects issue permits allowing vendors to sell only within zones the Director establishes inside the Central Business District, on the days and at the times of day the Director determines. The zones are set by regulation weighing pedestrian and vehicular traffic patterns (including congestion during special or sporting events), proximity to those events and to the lakefront, proximity to retail establishments, and any other factor the Director deems relevant (§ 675.06(a)). To apply, a vendor already holding the base § 675.02 vendor's license submits an application to the Director listing their name, address and license number, a description of the vending device or structure and its size, the specific zone or zones sought, and the items to be sold (§ 675.06(b)).

On a complete application and payment, the Director issues either an annual permit at $125 per zone (running August 1 to July 31) or a daily permit at $30 (§ 675.06(c)). The permit must stay on the vending device at all times while vending and display the vendor's name and address, the assigned zone or zones, a description of the device, and the permit number and expiration date (§ 675.06(d)). The Director may also issue further rules and regulations to carry out the section (§ 675.06(e)).

This zone permit sits alongside, not instead of, the temporary sidewalk occupancy permits issued under Chapter 508, and § 675.04(b)-(c) makes clear a separate mobile vending permit under § 675.061 is required for vendors who move continuously through the district rather than operating from a fixed zone location.