City of Bloomington, IN
mobile food vendors \u2014 permit requirements
City of Bloomington requires an operating permit for mobile food vendors. See details below.
Document available
Online application form
- Review the official licensing page
Documents on file:
Permit requirements
Operating permitRequired — apply before operating
CountyMonroe County County
Application methodOnline web form
Bloomington Permit Rules & Requirements
Permit fees: $25 – $350(7 fee tiers)
Permit fees7 rules ▾
- 3 Day License fee: $30.00
- 1 Day License fee: $25.00
- 1 Year License fee: $350.00
- 6 Month License fee: $200.00
- 3 Month License fee: $150.00
- 30 Day License fee: $75.00
- 7 Day License fee: $50.00
Insurance1 rule ▾
- Proof of insurance indemnity required
Documents to submit6 rules ▾
- Monroe County Health Inspection required
- Approval from Board of Public Works required to operate in public right-of-way
- City of Bloomington Mobile Food Vendor License required
- Proof of independent safety inspection required for all vehicles
- Indiana Business License required
- Must obtain Open Burn Permit from Bloomington Fire Department for grills or flames
Operating restrictions16 rules ▾
- Vendors cannot advertise any product which they are not authorized to sell
- Operation decibels cannot exceed 70 dBA
- Each vendor is allowed one sandwich board sign that does not impede the right-of-way
- Vendor cannot be attached to any object including buildings, trees, telephone phones, streetlight poles, traffic signal poles or fire hydrants
- Vendors may not use public or private electrical outlets while in operation
- Devices that amplify sound or draw attention with light or noise cannot be used
- Vendors are prohibited from operating on private property without written permission from the property owner
- Mobile food vendors can park on city streets as long as they follow all City parking restrictions and ordinances, including payment of parking meters
- Cannot park in alleyways
- Cannot park in an intersection or blocking other drivers' line of sight
- Sound amplification devices are prohibited
- Generators must not exceed 70dBA noise level
- Drive-through service is prohibited
- Customer seating prohibited without prior approval
- Light-producing devices are prohibited
- Vendors must gain approval to operate in or near Special Events areas
Distance & setback5 rules ▾
- Cannot park within 50 feet of any façade or outdoor seating of a ground level establishment that also sells food or beverages
- Cannot park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant
- Cannot park more than 1 foot from the curb
- Must be 20 feet from any building when using flame
- Vendors may not operate within one block radius of Special Events without prior approval
Hours of operation2 rules ▾
- Operating hours are 6:30 AM to 4:30 AM when located on public property
- Mobile food vendor vehicles cannot be left unattended or parked and not open for business for more than 1 hour before opening or 1 hour after closing
Zoning1 rule ▾
- Vendors allowed in Commercial General, Commercial Arterial, Commercial Downtown, Industrial General Business Park, and Institutional zones
Commissary1 rule ▾
- Vendors must use a grease trap or interceptor so grease cannot be emptied into City sewers or drains
Other rules13 rules ▾
- Keep food storage area free of rats, mice, flies and other vermin
- Animals not allowed in food storage area
- No toxic or hazardous items in food storage area
- Must clean up and dispose of trash within 20 feet of unit before leaving
- Equipment must be secured within the unit
- Must empty containers frequently, cannot use City facilities
- Must have fire extinguisher within reach when using flame
- Flame height limited to 12 inches maximum
- Must have barrier between flame and public
- Must provide separate recycling and trash containers
- Store knives and sharp utensils in safety knife holder
- Must follow USDA, FDA and Monroe County safety regulations for food handling and storage
- Must protect food from dirt and dust, keep at least 18 inches above road
Rules extracted from Bloomington's permit application. Verify with the city before applying — rules may have changed since extraction.
Official Resources
Additional Notes
Licensing contact: [email protected] / 812-349-3418
BiteBase provides this information for convenience only. Requirements may change. Always verify current rules directly with the city before operating.