Mobile Food Vending

A Mobile Vending License is required for your vehicle when selling food from a food truck, trailer, pushcart, or as a foot peddler.

To begin the process, you will need to pass an inspection.

• Mobile Vending inspections are done on Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment.
• Call 210-207-0135 make an appointment.

Background Checks

Background checks are only required for food vendors selling frozen or refrigerated confections. This includes:

• Frozen ice cream novelties
• Ice cream cones
• Paletas directly to consumers on a public street, sidewalk, or right of way
• Raspas

Background checks are required for owners and employees working or riding on the unit. To begin the process visit our the police station.

Address:
315 S. Santa Rosa Ave.
San Antonio, TX 78207
Directions

State and Federal background checks are completed off site. San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) will advise and monitor.

NOTE: Approved Downtown vendors may require an annual letter from SAPD.

Requirements for Selling Food

Water Sampling

All units vending handle potentially hazardous food from a pushcart, vehicle or trailer equipped with fresh/wastewater holding tanks must:

• Show proof of a clean water sample test from an accredited lab taken within 30 days of licensing inspection.
  • How to take a water sample(PDF, 150KB)  
• Check chlorination of its water supply weekly and maintain records on unit
• Sanitize water tanks monthly(PDF, 296KB) and maintain records on unit

Chlorine Residual and Tank Sanitation Log Sheet(PDF, 260KB)

Water Laboratory Services

Phone: 210-207-8887

Address:
2303 SE Military Dr., Building 533
San Antonio, TX 78236
Directions

Commissary or Service Area Usage

• Must report to the commissary or servicing area not less than once per calendar week for all cleaning and servicing operations
• Must keep a date/time log(PDF, 204KB) from commissary on the unit
• Refill fresh water
• Dump waste water
• Grease/oil disposal
• Cleaning (sweeping and mopping) of unit
• Supply storage

Commissary List(PDF, 479KB)

Operating a Mobile Vending Unit

• All food must come from an approved source and be properly labeled
• All potentially hazardous foods must be kept at proper temperatures
• Mobile food establishments may be stopped in a public street, or right-of-way, provided:
  • 50 feet away from an intersection
  • Not prohibited to the standing or parking of vehicles
  • All items are vended from the curbside or rear of the vehicle
• Mobile food establishments may park on commercial property:
  • Must have written notarized permission from property owner
  • Property must have flush type toilet facilities that are connected to an approved sewage system and available
  • Parked on paved surface and clean surroundings
• Must be 300 feet from property line of any school 1 hour before, during or 1 hour after school
• Vending in a residential area is allowed:
  • June, July and August: 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.
  • September through May: 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.
• No tables, chairs or awnings or other seating or eating area shall be around the mobile unit
• If a mobile vending unit is operating with a propane tank, generator, or gas/charcoal/wood burning grill a fire inspection is required. Contact the San Antonio Fire Department at 210-207-8410 to schedule a fire inspection.

Location Requirements 

Downtown Business District

Vendors wishing to operate in the “Downtown Business District” must obtain a special permit issued by the Center City Development & Operations Department.

Phone: 210-207-3677

The definition of the district from the Unified Development Code: "Downtown Business District" shall include the area described as follows: Start at the intersection of Salado and El Paso Streets; north on Salado/Haven for Hope Way to its intersection with Frio Street; thence northeast in a straight line to the intersection of IH-10 and Cadwallader; south on IH-10 to IH-35; northeast on IH-35 to a perpendicular point connecting with Cherry Street; south on Cherry Street to César E. Chávez Boulevard; west on César E. Chávez Boulevard to the San Antonio River; south along the San Antonio River to Arsenal Street; west on Arsenal to El Paso Street; and then west on El Paso to Salado.

City Parks

Vendors interested in operating at any City park must obtain permission from the Parks and Recreation Department.

Phone: 210-207-8480

Special Events

If a mobile vending unit is operating at a special event, the unit may be exempt from certain requirements. Please see the City of San Antonio Ordinance Chapter 13 for exemptions.