This summer, the City of Boston will open up new opportunities for food carts and mobile vendors to sell on Boston streets and in neighborhoods.
Complete the 2024 Food Cart Pilot Program Form
To apply for the 2024 Food Cart Pilot Program, please complete the pilot program application.
GET YOUR PERMITS
You will need a few permits before you are permitted to operate.
1. FIRE and health Permits
First-time food cart operators will have to call the Fire Department at 617-343-3447 to schedule an inspection for a fire permit. They do inspections Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Inspectional Services does inspections for health permits Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. You do not need to schedule an appointment before you visit. Call Tom McAdams at 617-961-3293 for more information.
On the day of your scheduled appointment, please bring your food cart to:
Fire Prevention
1010 Massachusetts Avenue
Boston, MA 02218
You may also need to bring your permit application for Open Burning and Cooking Operations. If your cart passes the fire inspection, you'll be given a permit and the fire inspector will sign your application.
On the day of your health inspection, please bring your food cart to:
Inspectional Services Department
1010 Massachusetts Avenue
Boston, MA 02218
You also need to bring several documents:
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A sample menu
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Proof of Commissary with a licensed kitchen
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Proof that at least one person on your push cart is a Certified Food Manager
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If you plan to sell on a private site, your Use of Premises Permit
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Your Allergen certification, along with your ServSafe certificate
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Your completed health permit application.
2. Hawker and Peddler License
Each worker needs to have their local police chief sign the Certificate of Character section of the Hawker and Peddler License application.
The police check each applicant's criminal history through their fingerprints. The Boston Police charge $50 for this service.
For more information, visit the Director of Standards:
One Ashburton Place, Room 1115
Boston, MA 02108
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
3. Business Certificate
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commissary kitchen agreement or letter, and
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Certificate of Liability Insurance.
You can either complete this process in person or by mail. You must submit your documents, payment, and completed form to the City Hall Clerk’s Office at:
City Hall, Room 601
1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02201
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
4. Certificate of Liability Insurance
Contact an insurance provider to purchase a liability insurance policy that is reasonable for your needs. Once the policy is active, request a certificate of liability insurance from your insurance agent or company.
Be sure to use Boston City Hall Address (1 City Hall Square #500 Boston, MA 02201) as Certificate Holder.
5. Commissary Letter
A commissary is the licensed food establishment where you prepare and store food. You report to them twice a day. Possible locations include community kitchens, church kitchens, or restaurant kitchens.
You will need a letter from the kitchen owner that states you use the facility as your base of operations. If the kitchen is outside of Boston, you need to include a health permit for the commissary kitchen.
Pick your vending location
Pick your vending location based on the following available locations:
Start vending
Once you are approved, you can start vending!
Food Cart Pilot Program Locations
Food Cart Background Information
A street food cart operates like a mobile kitchen. It is not motorized.
Food carts are limited in the types of food they sell. They can sell chicken kabobs, salads, falafel, burritos, etc. if they have handwashing facilities. Otherwise, they are limited to serving non-potentially hazardous (TCS) foods such as coffee or cupcakes.
A food cart cannot have an open flame or be larger than three feet wide by six feet long.
If you would like assistance starting your food cart business, please contact the Office of Small Business at smallbiz@boston.gov or 617-635-0355.
About the Pilot
This pilot simplifies the application process by adding predetermined zones where vendors can choose to sell and increases assistance during the approval process.
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Need to Know:This webpage is also available in Español, Kreyòl ayisyen, 简体中文, 繁體中文, and Tiếng Việt.
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Contact:
Economic Opportunity and Inclusion
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1 City Hall Square
Boston, MA 02201
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Our goal is to make food cart vending easier for vendors and business owners in Boston.
This guide is meant to assist you in applying for the 2024 Food Cart Vendor Pilot Program. This guide may be updated from time to time. The City retains the right to deny any application.
