Old Bridge, NJ Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Vending Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- License
- Township Clerk, max 7/year
- Fee
- $250 per calendar year
- Hours
- Sunrise to 9:00 p.m. only
- Residential zones
- Food trucks barred entirely
- Owner permission
- Notarized certification required
- Insurance
- $100,000 liability, $100,000 auto
Summary
Old Bridge Township limits food trucks to non-residential private property with the owner's notarized written permission, a Township Clerk license, and Health, Police, Construction and Zoning sign-off. Only seven annual licenses are issued townshipwide, trucks may run from sunrise to 9:00 p.m., and none may operate in any residential zoning district under Township Code Chapter 273.
The food truck owner or operator shall have written permission from the property owner on which the food truck is located, evidenced by a duly notarized certification or affidavit from the property owner, at the time of application. ... Food trucks shall be permitted to operate only during daylight hours from sunrise to 9:00 p.m. ... Food trucks shall not be permitted in any residential zoning district within the Township.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 273 of the Old Bridge Township Code requires anyone operating a food truck within the Township to hold an annual license from the Township Clerk under § 273-2, capped at seven licenses townshipwide per year and costing $250 per calendar year under § 273-3. Before the Clerk issues a license, the Township Department of Health and Welfare, Police Department, Construction Official and Zoning Officer must each sign off under § 273-4A. Applicants must submit a notarized certification of written permission from the property owner where the truck will sit, plus proof they notified by certified mail every retail food establishment and property within 200 feet of the site, per § 273-4C.
A site plan or aerial image must show the parking layout, and the truck cannot occupy more than the equivalent of two 9-by-18 parking spaces or eliminate previously approved parking, per § 273-4B and F. No temporary structures, outdoor cooking equipment, propane storage, or customer seating is allowed at the site under § 273-4D, and the truck must carry at least $100,000 in liability and $100,000 in auto insurance under § 273-4J. Operating hours run from sunrise to 9:00 p.m. under § 273-4H, and § 273-4M bars food trucks from every residential zoning district in the Township.
Frozen dessert trucks are exempt from this chapter and instead follow the peddler licensing rules of Chapter 347 under § 273-2B. Licenses are non-transferable under § 273-5, and the Construction Official, Zoning Officer, and Police Department jointly enforce the chapter under § 273-6.
Violations & Fines
Operating a food truck without a Township Clerk license, in a residential zone, past 9:00 p.m., or without the required property-owner permission and health, police, and zoning sign-offs violates Chapter 273. Under § 273-7 and the Code's general penalty at § 1-3, a conviction carries a fine up to $1,250, up to 90 days imprisonment, up to 90 days of community service, or a combination, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense under § 1-4.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a food truck set up on a residential lot in Old Bridge Township?
How many food truck licenses does Old Bridge Township issue?
What hours can a licensed food truck operate in Old Bridge?
Do ice cream trucks need a food truck license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Old Bridge
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