Chicago, IL Street Vending: Cart & Stand Rules (2026)

Chicago's food cart and mobile food vendor regulations are among the most detailed in the country. Non-motorized food carts are governed by specific rules requiring that no food be prepared, cooked, or assembled on the cart itself. All food sold must have been previously prepared or stored in a licensed brick-and-mortar food establishment (commissary kitchen). The cart must display the operator's business license and commissary kitchen address. Mobile food trucks fall under Municipal Code Chapter 7-38 (Article II - Mobile Food Vendors, Sections 7-38-075 et seq.) and Section 7-38-136, which impose additional requirements including GPS tracking devices that transmit location data to the city, regular health department inspections, and fire safety equipment. All mobile food operations require a City of Chicago Mobile Food License issued by the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP). Food trucks with on-board cooking equipment must comply with fire suppression requirements and pass Chicago Fire Department inspection. All mobile food vendors must comply with the Chicago Food Code regarding temperature control, handwashing facilities, food handling procedures, and waste disposal. Commissary agreements must be maintained and available for inspection. Operating hours for mobile food vendors are generally not restricted by the license but must comply with the noise ordinance and any location-specific restrictions.