Coeur d'Alene, ID Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Vending Zones (2026)

Chapter 5.75 of the Coeur d'Alene Municipal Code sorts vending locations by land type: private property, city streets, city parking facilities and city parks.

On private property, section 5.75.040 sets the zoning line. A mobile food concession or mobile food cart that is not in a mobile food court, meaning a parcel where two (2) or more concessions selling food or beverage products congregate, must be on property within a nonresidential zone, unless it is operating as part of a special event under a permit issued by the city to another entity. Class C nonmobile concessions carry the same nonresidential zone rule. Each of these vendors must keep the area within ten feet (10') of the concession free of litter, grease and other debris, and no accessory seating or other appurtenances are allowed beyond what a mobile food court provides. Class D mobile retail concessions, which sell no food, must be in a mobile food court or on private property in a nonresidential zone, and cannot operate within one thousand two hundred feet (1,200') of a school while school is in session.

On city streets, section 5.75.050 has the city clerk decide based on parking needs, concurrent events, and the convenience and best interests of the public, with permits issued first come, first serve. A mobile food cart on a street must operate as part of a special event and can operate at approved locations only from sunrise until sunset, and it cannot exceed four feet (4') in width by eight feet (8') in length by four feet (4') in height. A mobile food concession that moves about on a continuous basis can vend on city streets from sunrise until sunset but cannot remain in one place more than ten (10) minutes. Both street categories stay outside one thousand two hundred feet (1,200') of a school during the dates that school is in session. In a city parking facility, a permit requires a concession directly related to an event in a city park, an adjacent parking lot, and the approval of the event sponsor and parks director.

City waterways, beach areas, natural areas, parks, playgrounds and play fields are closed to commercial activity unless the code or a city contract specifically authorizes it. The city clerk, upon recommendation of the parks director, can permit concessions at designated locations there under a rental or use agreement.