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. Location A covers paved park areas (never grass) and city ball fields, plus the industrial and business parks on private property with owner consent, permitted 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Location B is the Working Waterfront District, bounded by Route 18 to the west (trucks may not stop on Route 18 itself), Interstate 195 south to Cove Road, and the shoreline to the east, permitted 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location C is Historic Downtown, limited to Barker's Lane on public property or anywhere downtown on private property with owner consent, permitted 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Location D covers city beaches: East Beach public lots, capped at the first three trucks to arrive each day on a first-come, first-served rotation as spots open up, plus one truck permitted on West Rodney French Boulevard, both windows running 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Outside these four zones, a truck may also operate on private property that is properly zoned for business use and held in common ownership with the truck's owner, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.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
Compare New Bedford to another location·View the Massachusetts food trucks & mobile vendors overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Vending Zones in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Bristol County handle vending zones.