Mobile Food Business Guide: Food Trucks & Carts
This guide explains the City of Bend’s rules for food trucks, carts, and other mobile businesses. It covers where they can operate, what permits are required, and the steps to get approved.
Important Reminder
You cannot legally operate a mobile food business in Bend until you have:
- Verified your location and zoning
- Received property owner permission
- Applied for and received all required permits
- Registered your business with the City of Bend
- Met health, fire, and building safety requirements
Get started by reviewing the steps below.
The following guide is based primarily on the Bend Development Code, which regulates development in Bend.
If you have questions after reading this guide, email planning@bendoregon.gov or visit the Permit Center located at 710 N.W. Wall St., Bend, OR 97703 and ask to speak with the Planner on Duty. It helps to know the property address where you plan to locate your food truck or cart before contacting us.
Preparation Steps
Before starting your project:
- Confirm the property you are considering for your location meets the requirements for a food truck or cart
- Obtain permission from the property owner
- Verify the property’s zoning using the City’s interactive zoning map
Allowed Locations
Food trucks and carts are allowed in specific zoning districts:
- Permitted Use:
- Conditional Use (requires a Conditional Use Permit):
- Industrial Zoning Districts (as small-scale personal and professional services)
- Not Typically Allowed:
- Residential Zoning Districts, unless the property is designated Neighborhood Commercial.
- Neighborhood Commercial sites have special standards in Bend Development Code Section 3.6.300.J
- Residential Zoning Districts, unless the property is designated Neighborhood Commercial.
Consider locating food trucks or carts on commercial properties that are already developed and include amenities such as sidewalks, street trees, covered bicycle parking, and screened trash enclosures. You can also place them in existing approved food cart lots on established pads without any additional Planning Reviews required.
Permit and Review Requirements
- Single Food Truck or Cart:
- Is reviewed through a Minimum Standards Development Review application with property owner authorization.
- Multiple Food Trucks or Carts on One Site:
- Requires Site Plan Review.
- Before applying, schedule a Pre-Application Meeting with Planning. You must have a Site Plan showing existing and proposed conditions and a list of your questions.
- Sidewalk Vendors:
- Food carts can operate in the public right-of-way through the Sidewalk Vendor License Program.
Additional Requirements
If a Site Plan Review is required, or you are providing outdoor seating, you must meet building code standards, including life safety and accessibility.
Contact:
- building@bendoregon.gov or (541) 388-5580 Ext. 2.
- OR visit the Permit Center located at 710 N.W. Wall St., Bend, OR 97703 and ask to speak with a Commercial Plans Examiner.
All businesses must have a current Business Registration with the City.
Email businessregistration@bendoregon.gov for specific questions.
- Reference our Mobile Food Unit and Food Pod Safety Requirements document.
- Food Trucks and Carts must comply with Oregon Fire Code Section 319.
- Access a detailed breakdown of fire codes for Food Trucks and Carts that includes additional compliance information.
- Contact Bend Fire & Rescue (541) 322-6300 to obtain permits, request fire inspections, and obtain approvals.
Bend Fire & Rescue has specific requirements (from the 2022 Oregon Fire Code) that must be complied with when using Food Trucks at special events. Reference the following checklists for specific details:
A Transportation Facilities Report or Sewer Water Analysis may be required for Site Plan Review or Conditional Use Permit applications.
Contact:
- engineering@bendoregon.gov or (541) 388-5580 Ext. 4.
- OR visit the Permit Center located at 710 N.W. Wall St., Bend, OR 97703 and ask to speak with the Engineer on duty.
A separate sign permit is required for new signs or changes to existing signs.
Contact: kvoos@bendoregon.gov or call (541) 388-5530 for questions.
System Development Charges may apply to mobile food businesses.
Apply for a System Development Charge estimate in our Online Permit Center Portal before leasing or purchasing property.
Submit Applications
Once you have determined the proper application(s) needed for your project, submit the application(s) through our Online Permit Center Portal.
Need help getting started in the Portal? Review the Online Permit Center Portal Help guides.
Helpful Tips
- Always confirm zoning and site eligibility before signing a lease or buying property.
- Schedule a Pre-Application Meeting for complex projects.
- Keep all required approvals and permits in place before opening.
Contacts
- Planning Division: planning@bendoregon.gov | (541) 388-5580 Ext. 3
- Building Safety Division: building@bendoregon.gov | (541) 388-5580 Ext. 2
- Business Registrations: businessregistration@bendoregon.gov
- Fire & Rescue Department: (541) 322-6300
- Private Development Engineering Division: engineering@bendoregon.gov | (541) 388-5580 Ext. 4
- Signage: kvoos@bendoregon.gov | (541) 388-5530
- Development Services Division: development@bendoregon.gov