Montgomery County, MD Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Vending Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Montgomery County Code § 47-2
- Default rule
- No vending on sidewalks or road right-of-way
- Exception
- Licensed pushcarts in CBD zones only
- Allocation
- Lottery when applicants exceed available licenses
- Penalty
- Class A violation (Sec. 47-8)
Summary
Montgomery County bans sidewalk and street vending countywide by default, allowing only a capped number of licensed pushcarts in designated Central Business District zones assigned by lottery.
(a) Unless otherwise permitted by law, a person must not sell or offer to sell any goods or services on any public sidewalk or the right-of-way of any public road. (b) The Director may issue licenses for a limited number of stationary or slow-moving pushcarts or similar vehicles, not larger than a size set by regulation, from which a licensee may sell goods on designated sidewalks or rights-of-way in a Central Business District planning policy area (as defined in the County Growth Policy).
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-90: Montgomery County Code contains legislation effective through May 7, 2026 | Zoning Updated Effective: April 13, 2026 | COMCOR Regulations effective as of July 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Montgomery County Code § 47-2(a) bars anyone from selling goods or services on a public sidewalk or road right-of-way unless otherwise permitted by law. Subsection (b) is the exception: the Director may license a limited number of stationary or slow-moving pushcarts to vend on designated sidewalks or rights-of-way inside a Central Business District planning policy area (as defined in the County Growth Policy), areas like downtown Bethesda, Silver Spring or Wheaton. If more vendors apply for a license category than slots exist, the Director must renew existing licensees first, then run a lottery for the rest, and the Director of Transportation must concur that the location won't unduly affect vehicular or pedestrian safety.
Violations & Fines
Vending without a license, or outside a licensed CBD zone, is a class A violation under Sec. 47-8; enforcement agencies may seize unlicensed goods on the spot under Sec. 47-9.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell goods on a Montgomery County sidewalk without a license?
Where can I get a license to vend from a pushcart?
What happens if more vendors apply than there are CBD vending licenses?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Montgomery County
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