Lakewood, CO Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Vending Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- Initial permit fee
- $100, nonrefundable
- Sales tax deposit
- $50
- Permit term
- 1 year, renewable 3x
- Location decided by
- Finance Director/City Treasurer
- Locations per permit
- One only
Summary
Lakewood requires a revocable permit before anyone can sell goods or services from the public right-of-way, and the Finance Director/City Treasurer approves or denies the specific vending location using sidewalk width, traffic and safety criteria.
The Finance Director/City Treasurer or designee shall approve or deny the location of the permit. The City of Lakewood shall provide a map to the permittee designating the general location of the public right-of-way and the permittee's location thereon. In determining whether a particular location for sidewalk vendors is compatible with the public interest in the use of a public right-of-way, all or some of the following may be considered to determine whether the proposed location should be approved or denied.
A.The width of sidewalk.B.The proximity of existing street furniture including, but not limited to, sign posts, lamp posts, parking meters, bus shelters, benches, telephone booths, planters, newsstands and newspaper vending devices.C.The presence of bus stops, truck loading zones, taxi stands or hotel zones.D.The volume of street and pedestrian traffic, the rate of speed of traffic, and the ability to safely exit the traffic lane.E.The location of other vendors in the immediately adjacent area.F.The accident history of the location.G.Other conditions which affect the public health, safety and welfare. (Ord. O-2019-24 § 4, 2019; Ord. O-97-74 § 1, 1997)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 14 | Zoning Ordinance: ?).
Full Breakdown
Selling merchandise or services from Lakewood's public right-of-way requires a revocable permit from the city; vendors distributing newspapers or religious, political or ideological literature are exempt. The initial permit costs $100, plus a $50 sales tax deposit credited against the vendor's first return. The Finance Director/City Treasurer approves or denies each vendor's specific location, weighing sidewalk width, nearby street furniture, bus stops and loading zones, traffic volume and speed, other vendors nearby, and accident history. Permits run one year and may be renewed for up to three more years, and each permit covers only one designated spot: a location vacated for 30 consecutive days opens up to other vendors.
Violations & Fines
Vending from the right-of-way without an approved permit, or outside your permitted location, is a general ordinance violation punishable by up to a $2,650 fine, 365 days in jail, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do newspaper or political vendors need this permit?
Can the city deny my preferred vending spot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lakewood
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Vending Zones in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Jefferson County handle vending zones.