Food Cart Pods

food carts lined up in a parking lot in autumn

All food cart pods must be licensed and pass regular health inspections. This applies to anyone (owner or lessee) who allows 2 or more food carts to park continuously on a property in order to sell food or drinks.

You must apply for this license if you already have a food cart pod or plan to open a new one.

If you're remodeling a cart pod, contact us to see if you need a plan review.

Food cart pod licensing began in 2022. It introduced new rules that shifted some responsibilities for basic sanitation, health and safety from food cart to pod operators.

If you have a food cart, you do not need to apply for this license. However, the operator may ask you to make changes to comply with pod rules. For example, moving your cart in order to comply with the setback rule.

Requirements

Food cart pod operators are responsible for:

Safe drinking water (You do not have to supply it, but you must make sure all carts at your site use it.)
Wastewater disposal and spill control plan
Garbage and recycling
A plan to control rats and pests
Spacing carts and structures 5 feet apart (setback)
Power utilities

These requirements are covered in more detail in the plan review application.

A food cart pod license may not be transferred to someone else or to a different location.

Food Cart Pod Rules (178.83 KB)

Good to Know

Before you get your license from us, there may be other agencies that you need to get approval from. These include, but are not limited to:

Planning (zoning)
Building codes (structural, electrical, plumbing, prefabricated structures)
Fire marshall
City or county authorities

Refer to this list of agency contacts for food carts»

Get a License

Submit plans for review. Send us completed plan review and license applications and fees.

Food Cart Pod Plan Review Packet (3.47 MB)

Example Site Plan (1.89 MB)

We will review your application within 15 business days. Next, we’ll send you a letter (by mail or email) that either asks for more information, or approves your application.

If we request more information, you’ll have a chance to make needed changes.

Schedule your pre-license inspection. You can do this once your plan is approved. You should complete this inspection within 30 days from the date on your approval letter.

You must pass this inspection before we can issue your license. For a new pod, you must get and pass an inspection before any operations start.