Borough of Charleroi, PA
mobile food vendors \u2014 permit requirements
Borough of Charleroi 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
CountyWashington County County
Application methodOnline web form
Charleroi Permit Rules & Requirements
Permit fees: $100(5 fee tiers)
Permit fees5 rules ▾
- Police and Fire Departments exempt from vendor fees
- Mobile food vendor permit application fee: $100
- Renewal fee is same as application fee for new mobile food vendor permit
- Revoked permit reinstatement fee: $100
- Suspended permit reinstatement fee: $100
Insurance2 rules ▾
- Must maintain all motor vehicle insurance required by state and federal laws
- Vehicles on Borough property must maintain additional insurance as required by Borough Manager
Documents to submit14 rules ▾
- Must comply with all federal, state and local licensing requirements
- Written permission required from property owner for operation on private property
- Mobile food vendor license required from Municipality
- Canteen trucks operating on private property must have written permission from property owner
- Color photographs of vehicle exterior required showing all sides and final markings
- Signed acknowledgement that operator has read article and will comply with requirements
- Certificate of insurance coverage including motor vehicle insurance required
- Copy of alcoholic beverage licenses required if applicable
- Copy of state health department license or permit for mobile food providers required
- Copy of vehicle license and registration with VIN required
- Name and address of vehicle operator required on application
- Name and address of vehicle owner required on application
- Mobile food vendor permit required to operate within Borough
- Operator must notify Borough within 10 days of sale and update changed information
State agency licenses1 rule ▾
- Mobile food service vehicles must be licensed and equipped in accordance with local, state and federal agencies having jurisdiction
Operating restrictions33 rules ▾
- Food truck operations may not occupy more than four parking spaces per truck
- Food trucks shall not block fire lanes, designated traffic lanes or building ingress/egress
- Food trucks may not operate on unimproved private property
- No unattended food truck shall be left in right-of-way or public property overnight
- Canteen trucks may only operate from right-of-way adjacent to clearly delineated construction locations
- Food trucks may not operate in public right-of-way or Borough property except as specifically allowed
- Maximum of three food trucks per location unless authorized by Borough
- Mobile food service vehicles must park facing the same direction as traffic, within 12 inches of curb, with service window facing curb
- Canteen trucks may not operate within any other public right-of-way or on Borough property except where specifically allowed by the Borough
- When allowed in public right-of-way, canteen truck must be positioned to comply with section 4 requirements
- Operation within Borough parks is subject to rules and regulations established by the council
- No unattended canteen truck shall be left at any time in the right-of-way or parked on any other public property overnight
- Canteen truck may operate on unimproved parcel only if the parcel or adjoining parcel is undergoing construction activity
- Canteen trucks shall not block fire lanes, designated traffic lanes or ingress or egress to or from a building or street
- All awnings or canopies must be at least six feet, eight inches above the sidewalk
- Mobile food service vehicle components may not reduce clear pedestrian path on sidewalk to less than six feet
- Mobile food service vehicle may not prevent access to another business by emergency vehicles
- Mobile food service vehicle may not block lawfully placed signage of another business
- Mobile food service vehicle may not impede ingress or egress from another business or cause interference with access
- No seating area shall be provided when operating in public right-of-way, except for special events with street closures
- No power cord, cable or equipment may be extended across public streets, sidewalks or other public property
- Cannot use stakes, rods or support methods that require drilling/driving into asphalt, pavement, curbs, sidewalks or buildings
- Prohibited from areas where they will impede pedestrian traffic
- Canteen trucks prohibited from selling alcoholic beverages at all times
- Prohibited from parking where traffic or parking laws would be violated
- Prohibited from consuming alcoholic beverages while vending
- Food trucks may not sell alcoholic beverages except as allowed by state law and Borough ordinance
- Prohibited from parking in fire lanes, loading zones or spaces with parking limitations
- Mobile food service vehicles shall serve pedestrians only, no drive through or drive-in service
- Mobile food vendors prohibited from vending on specific streets in Central Business District between McKean & Fallowfield Avenues between 4th and 7th Streets
- Mobile food vendor permit must be prominently displayed when vehicle is in operation
- Placing chairs, tables, tents or similar items in right-of-way or on private property without owner authorization is prohibited
- Offering public seating within a mobile food truck or mobile vehicle is prohibited
Distance & setback9 rules ▾
- Mobile food service vehicle must maintain minimum distance of ten feet between other mobile food service vehicles
- Mobile food service vehicle may not operate within 100 feet of a brick and mortar eating establishment
- Fuel must not be stored closer than 3ft to cooking appliances
- Engine-driven power must be 10ft from openings/air intakes, 10ft from egress points, and directed away from buildings and other cooking vehicles
- Min 10ft from buildings/structures/vehicles/combustible materials and 15ft from fire hydrants
- Removed ashes and fire debris must be placed in closed metal container at least 3ft from cooking appliances
- Sandwich board sign must be placed no further than two feet from vehicle
- Prohibited from vending within 100 feet of licensed concession stand in Borough Park when open
- Prohibited within 100 feet of licensed restaurant primary entrance during business hours unless with consent
Hours of operation4 rules ▾
- Food trucks may operate 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. unless restricted by permit or property owner
- Canteen trucks may operate from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. unless otherwise restricted by permit
- Canteen truck shall not remain in the public right-of-way for more than one hour during a day
- Extended hours may be authorized by the Borough upon request
Renewal & expiration3 rules ▾
- Mobile food vendor permit may be renewed 30 days in advance for next 12-month period
- Mobile food vendor permits expire on December 31 of each year or alternate date set by Codes Enforcement Officer
- Revoked permit operator may apply for new permit after 12 months
Eligibility2 rules ▾
- Permit section does not apply to pre-arranged catering contracts for up to 4 hours when not open to general public
- No permit issued to operators whose permit was suspended or revoked within preceding 12 months
Zoning2 rules ▾
- Food truck operation on private property subject to Chapter 338 Zoning requirements
- Prohibited from vending in any Suburban Residential Zoning District
Commissary1 rule ▾
- Commissary shall not be located in residential zoning district unless permitted as home occupation
Penalties12 rules ▾
- Permission to operate on Borough property immediately revoked if insurance not maintained
- Mobile food service vehicles previously operating without permit must pay additional $100 fee for new vendors
- Citation fine of $300 for holding special event without permit or failing to comply with conditions
- Citation fine of $300 for operating mobile food service vehicle without valid permit
- Citation fine of $300 for continuing temporary operations beyond authorized time
- Citation fine of $300 for failure to comply with any other provision of this article
- Mobile food vendor permit suspended if applicant knowingly provided false information
- Mobile food vendor permit suspended if two violations occur within six-month period
- Appeals must be filed within ten business days of receiving notice
- Permit revoked if four violations occur within 12-month period
- Written notice required for permit suspension or revocation
- Permit revoked if vehicle operated unlawfully threatening public health/safety
Other rules35 rules ▾
- Mobile food vendors must operate subject to practical regulations and limitations for public health, safety and welfare
- Mobile food service vehicles must be specifically designed and constructed for the purpose of preparation and sale of the specific type of food being sold
- Food preparation and sale from mobile food service vehicles must comply with all applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations
- All cooking, heating and electrical equipment and practices must comply with applicable safety regulations and fire/electrical codes
- Food service vehicles with deep fat fryers must provide type K fire extinguisher in addition to other requirements
- Must comply with storm water regulations and have spill response plan to prevent discharges into waterways/sewers
- Mobile food vehicles cannot produce sounds prohibited by Chapter 338 of Borough Code
- Ash cinders and fire debris must be removed from firebox at regular intervals and at least once daily
- Fuel must not be stored in ash removal path or near removed ashes
- Fuel must not be stored near combustible liquids, ignition sources, chemicals, or food supplies
- Fuel must not be stored above heat producing appliances or vents
- Engine-driven power sources must be separated from public by barriers
- Cooking that produces grease laden vapors requires NFPA 96 compliant fire suppression system
- Maximum LPG gas storage is two 100-pound tanks on vehicle exterior only with UL/FM approved fittings
- Mobile food service vehicles with generators must provide 3A-40BC fire extinguisher
- All mobile food service vehicles must have 2A-10BC fire extinguisher inspected annually per NFPA standards
- Only heating apparatus compliant with safety regulations may be used in canteen trucks
- All exterior vehicle signs must be secured and not project more than six inches
- Mobile food service vehicle operation area must be kept neat and orderly at all times
- Operator responsible for cleanliness within 50 feet of vehicle regardless of waste source
- Operator must provide proper trash receptacles for public use during operation
- All trash receptacles must be emptied when full and waste removed before departure
- Signage limited to signs on vehicle and one sandwich board sign
- Exterior equipment generating heat must be surrounded by traffic safety cones
- Food shall not be served directly from exterior food preparation equipment
- Exterior food preparation equipment shall not obstruct traffic or create safety hazards
- Sandwich board signs limited to 8 square feet or 48 inches height, cannot obstruct traffic
- Permit holders must notify Borough within 10 days of any changes to application information including vehicle photos
- Borough staff may authorize temporary operation for up to 2 hours without permit
- Mobile food vendor permit may not be transferred except as part of sale of controlling interest or substantially all assets
- No refund of reinstatement fee unless Codes Enforcement Officer acted in error
- Higher standard provisions prevail in case of conflict with existing ordinances
- Invalid provisions do not affect validity of other ordinance sections
- No refund of application fee for denied permits
- Ordinance becomes effective upon legal enactment
Rules extracted from Charleroi's permit application. Verify with the city before applying — rules may have changed since extraction.
Official Resources
Additional Notes
Licensing contact: [email protected] / 724-483-6011
BiteBase provides this information for convenience only. Requirements may change. Always verify current rules directly with the city before operating.