Fort Worth, TX Street Vending: Cart & Stand Rules (2026)

Fort Worth Code of Ordinances Sections 16-172 through 16-186 establish comprehensive pushcart regulations. Section 16-172 sets permit requirements for all pushcarts operating within city limits. Downtown pushcart vendors must obtain a slot permit for a specific designated location. As a condition of the slot permit, vendors must police for trash and debris within a 25-foot radius of their cart location. During March through October, downtown pushcarts must be open to the public for a minimum of 2 hours per day on at least 8 days per month; the director may reduce or waive this requirement for inclement weather, demonstrated viability issues, or other extenuating circumstances. Under Section 5.406, transient food vendors (those not at a fixed mobile vendor food court) may not stop for more than 60 consecutive minutes at any one location. Pushcarts must meet the design and construction standards of the Fort Worth food establishment code including proper food handling surfaces, waste disposal, handwashing capabilities, and protection from contamination. The director of Consumer Health has inspection authority over all pushcart operations.