It is important to make sure everything is safe and fair for everyone. Further we want to ensure accessibility and safety in compliance with the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. Sidewalk vendors can set up in certain spots in Downtown Bend. If you want to apply for a license, first check out this map to see where you can set up.

Lottery for Locations

The City of Bend holds an annual event for sidewalk sellers: the Sidewalk Vendor Lottery, which happens every second Wednesday in January. Here is how it works:

1. To enter the Lottery simply be sure your paperwork is done and submitted through the Online Permit Center Portal: If you’re a business and you’ve got your Sidewalk Vendor License application, or renewal application, all filled and submitted into the Online Permit Center Portal out before the lottery, you could score a prime spot to sell your goods. All complete applications and renewal applications are automatically entered into the Lottery.
2. Your spot is just that – yours: Once you have a spot, it is not up for grabs to anyone else.
3. When the lottery day rolls around, all the complete applications go into a drawing. Your business could get your top pick for a location, or if it has already been taken, your second choice.
4. If you are late to the party and submit after the lottery, you can still pick from what is left on a first-come, first-served basis.

And do not forget, there is a handy map showing all the vendor spots for the year. It is updated annually, so always check the latest version to see where you might be setting up shop if you win a spot. Keep an eye on it to plan your perfect selling spot!

Apply for a Sidewalk Vendor License

Carefully review the application steps and necessary materials listed below to ensure your application is complete. For a successful submission, please use the Online Permit Center and follow the provided instructions:

Initial Application

1Step: Obtain a valid City of Bend Business Registration

• To operate a Sidewalk Vendor business, you first need to apply for a Business Registration. Visit the Business Registration page for more information.

2Step: Prepare and complete the required application documents

• Obtain an active license from Deschutes County Environmental Health for food service.
• Obtain approval from the City of Bend Fire Department for cooking facilities.
  • Contact the Bend Fire Department at 541-322-6300 for an inspection of your unit.
• Obtain your Certificate of Insurance.
  • The City of Bend requires a Certificate of Insurance that lists the city as an additional insured party. This certificate should accompany the endorsement for general liability coverage, with a minimum of $2,000,000 per incident and $2,000,000 total.
• Complete a Drawing or Photo of your Self-Contained Unit.
  • Include exact dimensions.
• Prepare your Fees.
  • Application fee of $500.
  • Cleaning deposit of $350.
    • When you first apply to be a sidewalk vendor, the City asks for a $350 cleaning deposit. This deposit is like a promise that you will keep your vending area clean. If you do, and there is no need for the City to clean up after you, you will get your $350 back when you are done selling. And the best part? If you have paid your deposit and kept things clean, it rolls over to the next year, so you do not have to pay it again. It is a terrific way to make sure the sidewalks stay nice for everyone!
• Complete the Sidewalk Vendor License Acknowledgement.

3Step: Submit your Sidewalk Vendor License Application

• In the Online Permit Center Portal, under choose the licensing type, select “Specialty Licenses and Programs.”
• On the Classification Step, select “Sidewalk Vendor – Food Service” or ‘Sidewalk Vendor – Retail' depending on the type of vending you plan to do.
• Complete the rest of the form and submit the application.
  • Be sure to have all previously completed items from Step 2 above ready to upload to your application. 

Renewal Application

To renew your Sidewalk Vendor License, complete the following steps:

1Step: Prepare and complete the required renewal application documents

• Be sure you still have an ACTIVE Business Registration with the City of Bend.
• Be sure you still have an ACTIVE license from Deschutes County Environmental Health for food service.
• Be sure you still have approval from the City of Bend Fire Department for cooking facilities.
  • Contact the Bend Fire Department at 541-322-6300 for an inspection of your unit.
• Obtain your Certificate of Insurance.
  • Be sure to supply us with an updated Certificate of Insurance if any have expired since your last license renewal.
    • The City of Bend requires a Certificate of Insurance that lists the city as an additional insured party. This certificate should accompany the endorsement for general liability coverage, with a minimum of $2,000,000 per incident and $2,000,000 total.
• If ANY changes have been made to your Drawing or Photo of your self-contained unit, please provide a new drawing or photo.
  • If no changes were made, this is not needed again at renewal.
• Complete the Sidewalk Vendor License Acknowledgement.
• NOTE: if your $350 cleaning deposit that you submitted at the time of your initial application has not been used or refunded to you then you DO NOT need to pay it again at time of renewal. 

2Step: Submit your Sidewalk Vendor License Renewal Application

• Find your existing license in the Online Permit Center Portal to renew.
  • Login to the Online Permit Center Portal.
  • Access ‘My Items’ in the portal navigation.
  • Click the ‘Expand All’ item.
  • Find your Sidewalk Vendor License and click the ‘Renew This License’ button.
  • Complete the application and upload the pertinent items.
• Be sure to have all previously completed items from Step 1 above ready to upload to your renewal application. 

Sidewalk Vendor License Dates to Remember

The City of Bend wants to make sure everyone who is interested in a Sidewalk Vendor License knows about some important dates:

January:

• The Map of Sidewalk Vendor Locations for the upcoming year will be updated and released.
• The Sidewalk Vendor Lottery will occur on the second Wednesday of this month.

February:

• Everyone who applied will get an email with the final map of assigned spots and their licenses by the first Friday in February.

March to October:

• City officials will visit to check that you have all the right papers on-site and that you are following the rules.
• Please note: If a vendor’s place is dirty because of their cart or customers, the City will tell them, and they have 10 days to clean it up. If it is not cleaned up well enough, the vendor must stop selling things right away, and the City will use the vendor’s deposit to clean the place.

November to December:

• To keep your vending business running without any breaks, make sure you submit your application or renewal, along with all required application documents, through our Online Permit Center Portal no later than December 31st. Also, do not forget that you must have your Sidewalk Vendor License issued prior to you beginning to sell.

Frequently Asked Questions