Upcoming Changes
Mobile vending permit legislation BL2024-391 will authorize the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) to "establish, administer and enforce, and the Traffic and Parking Commission to regulate, a permitting program to regulate food, beverage, and merchandise vending from trucks or other motor vehicles within the public right-of-way."
This legislation will establish a permanent permitting process based on the current Mobile Food Vendor Pilot Program, streamlining the permitting requirements for mobile vendors under the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT). The permitting process only applies to mobile vendors who operate in the public right-of-way, not on private property. This legislation will not change the permits or fees required for mobile vendors operating in the public right-of-way. It will give authority to the Traffic and Parking Commission to regulate mobile vendors operating in the public right-of-way. Any future changes to the mobile vendor permit or associated fees will be under the authority of the Traffic and Parking Commission where members of the public can give public comment.
Community Engagement
The Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) held a community meeting on Thursday, July 11 at 4:30 p.m. to discuss the upcoming changes outlined in BL2024-391 for mobile vendors in Nashville and Davidson County. If you were unable to attend, review the meeting presentation below and complete the comment form.
- Mobile Vendor Permit Legislation Comment Form
- Mobile Vending in the Right-of-Way Presentation
- Mobile Vending in the Right-of-Way Presentation- Spanish
- Mobile Vending in the Right-of-Way Presentation- Arabic
- Mobile Vending Permit Legislation Text with Details (BL2024-391)- Spanish
- Mobile Vending Permit Legislation Text with Details (BL2024-391)- Arabic
Pilot Program
The Permit Office at the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) permits Mobile Food Vendors. These permits allow vendors to park in the authorized food truck zones in the Downtown Core.
Mobile Food Vendor units must be permanently enclosed units and have a service window. All other mobile food cart vendors should contact the County Clerk’s Office regarding permitting and operation regulations.
Mobile Food Vendor Pilot Program Guidelines
Required Documents
The completed Mobile Food Vendor Application must be submitted to the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) through ePermits along with a complete set of documents.
Documents required include:
- Menu: Description of food, food type and menu
- Mobile Food Unit Photo: color photographs (front, both sides, rear) of the mobile food unit or vehicle
- Business License
- Health Department Letter/Score
- Metro Public Health Department Commissary Agreement
- Wastewater Discharge Agreement as required by Metro Water Services
- Fire Department Letter: equipment list and permit as required by Nashville Fire Department
- A valid government issued operator’s driver license
- Tax Identification (ID) Number
- Mobile Food Unit Layout: specific descriptions and floor plans for each unit and equipment list to support menu preparation
During the pilot program, a $55 permit fee is required in the Downtown Core for a lane closure at signed Mobile Food Vendor locations. Permits must be renewed every 2 months.