Somerville, MA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Vending Zones (2026)

No one may operate as a mobile food vendor in Somerville, in any public, private, or restricted space, without a mobile food vendor license from the Health Division of the Inspectional Services Department, per Sec. 8-362; a temporary event permit from the board of health substitutes for it at one-off events. c. 40, § 22F (Sec. 8-363). In deciding whether to grant a license, the Health Division, Economic Development, Police, Traffic and Parking, and the Fire Department weigh the proposed menu, hours, and location against noise, traffic, congestion, odor, waste disposal, parking, dust, neighborhood character, and any competitive impact on nearby restaurants (Sec.

8-365). Once issued, the license does not grant exclusive use of any route or location beyond the specific time and place approved (Sec. 8-366(a)); a truck cannot operate outside its approved hours, and it cannot park within 50 feet of a restaurant entrance unless that restaurant's owner consents in writing (Sec. 8-366(c), (g)). Vendors must offer a public waste container emptied at their own expense, sweep adjacent streets, sidewalks, and alleys within 100 feet for litter, skip styrofoam, and keep no tables, chairs, A-frame signs, or coolers on the public sidewalk without council approval (Sec.

8-366(b), (f)). Licenses cannot be sold, leased, or transferred; an unauthorized transfer voids the license automatically (Sec. 8-367). Any exception to the approved location, hours, or number of trucks requires prior written approval from ISD, Traffic and Parking, and Economic Development (Sec. 8-366(h)).