Federal Way, WA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Vending Zones (2026)

050 sets the permitted locations by vendor class. Class I mobile food or retail vendors are allowed to operate in any zone in the city, no zone restriction at all. Class II vendors, and Class III vendors that are accessory to an already-established use on the property, are allowed in every zone except single-family zoned properties currently used as single-family residences. Class III vendors that ARE the principal use on a property are confined to nonresidential zones only, no siting in a residential district as the sole use.

Vendors can also operate in public rights-of-way or on city-owned property if they secure whatever permit the public works department or police department requires for that location, and that permit can add its own site-specific limits. , Monday through Sunday, with exceptions only under a special event or right-of-way use permit. Vendors must sit on paved or asphalt surfaces, stay at least five feet off any property line unless they're in the right-of-way, supply at least one trash and recycling container, and cannot block drive aisles, sidewalks, bike lanes, ADA access, fire lanes, sight-distance triangles, or loading zones.

Food-selling vendors need sign-off from South King Fire and Rescue, which can include an inspection and certification step. 080, decided by the community development director, who checks that the operation will not harm public health, safety or welfare, will not adversely affect neighboring properties, and that the site has enough capacity and size. 080 for zones like professional office. All vendors also need a city business registration with a supplemental compliance checklist before an operator gets a business license endorsement.