New Bedford, MA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Vending Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- Designated zones
- 4: parks, waterfront, downtown, beaches
- Location A hours
- 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Location B hours (Waterfront)
- 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Location C hours (Downtown)
- 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Location D beach cap
- First 3 trucks, East Beach lots
- Buffer in designated zones
- 300 feet from food establishments
Summary
Permitted food trucks in New Bedford may only operate in four designated location categories, each with its own permitted hours, plus outside those zones on private property in common ownership with the truck. Parks, the Working Waterfront, Historic Downtown and city beaches each carry distinct hour windows and site rules.
Food trucks that have acquired the proper permits pursuant to this ordinance may operate on public property or, where applicable, on private property with permission of owner ... in the following areas only during the times designated for each area and three hundred (300) feet from food establishments: Location A: Parks (paved areas of parks only, not to be established on grass covered areas), or city-owned ball fields ... Permitted hours: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Location B: Working Waterfront District bordered by Route 18 (except that no such trucks shall stop on Route 18) as the furthest point westerly; from Interstate 195 south to Cove Road with the shoreline as the furthest point easterly. Permitted hours: 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Location C: Historic Downtown on Barker's Lane only or anywhere in the downtown on private property with the permission of the owner ... Permitted hours: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Location D: Beaches. East Beach public lots except that said lots shall be limited to the first three (3) permitted trucks to arrive on a given day ... Permitted hours: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 19).
Full Breakdown
City Code Sec. 15-72(d) confines permitted food trucks to four specifically designated location categories, each 300 feet from any food establishment. m. m. m. m. , without the 300-foot food-establishment buffer.
Violations & Fines
Operating outside an authorized location or outside its permitted hours is a violation of Sec. 15-72 subject to a $100 fine for a first offense and $100 for a second, with suspension or revocation of the truck's permit at the discretion of the commissioner of inspectional services and the health department after written notice and an opportunity for a hearing within 45 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a food truck park anywhere in New Bedford?
What hours can a food truck operate on the waterfront?
How many food trucks can park at East Beach at once?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New Bedford
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Vending Zones in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Bristol County handle vending zones.