The Permit Office at the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) provides Mobile Food Vendor permits to 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
Application and Document Requirements
The completed Mobile Food Vendor Application must be submitted to the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) Permit’s Office along with a complete set of documents.
Documents required include:
- Mobile Food Unit Permit Application
- 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.