Madison designates specific vending zones: State Street Mall, Library Mall, Capitol Square, Brittingham Park, and approved private lots. Mobile Vending Oversight Committee allocates sites annually via lottery/scoring.
Madison General Ordinances 9.13 and Vending Oversight Committee rules define specific vending zones where mobile food and merchandise vending is permitted. Primary public zones: State Street Mall (between Capitol Square and UW-Madison), Library Mall (UW campus edge at State Street), Capitol Square (during events and regular hours), Brittingham Park, Peace Park, and designated food truck zones downtown. Each zone has numbered sites; annual lottery (with weight for returning vendors and underrepresented businesses) assigns sites for the vending season (April-October). Winter vending is limited to heated carts at select locations. Private-property vending is allowed on commercial lots with owner permission, outside of residential zones (where MGO 28 zoning prohibits it). Night Market and Food Truck Friday events use temporary special event permits. Vendors may not operate within 100 feet of a brick-and-mortar restaurant selling the same product without that owner's consent in some zones. Capitol Square vending is further restricted during State Fair and Farmers' Market days.
Unauthorized site: $100-$500 + removal. Competition rule violation: warning + possible license review. Special event violations: event banning.
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