Code Compliance Services
Restaurant and Bar Inspection Division  |  Street Vending  |  Frequently Asked Questions

How many Central Business District (CBD) location permits can one person have at one time?

Five.

Can one still sell food items after midnight?

No. The hours allowed are from 6 am to 8 pm unless special operating hours are approved.

Can one sell foods at a bus stop?

No.  The vending location must be 50 feet away from the nearest bus stop and/or fire hydrant.

Is Deep Ellum in the CBD area (East of Central Expressway)?

No.

Can one set up a vending unit outside of a bar in Deep Ellum on a sidewalk?

No. Vending outside of the CBD area must be conducted on private property and properly zoned.

Can one bring a cooler to store extra hot dogs?

No. All potentially hazardous foods must be contained within the cart and held under mechanical refrigeration.  No outside coolers are allowed.

If one has two pushcarts located at different locations with approval letters from each private property owner, can the two pushcarts switch places?

No.  Any time a pushcart moves to a separate private location, they must obtain written, notarized consent from the property owner.

Do I need a location permit for the parking lot of a bar and grill located in the CBD?

No. Location permits are only required for CBD locations that are on public property (i.e. sidewalks and street corners).  A written and notarized letter of permission from the property owner is required, however.  

Can I set my corn pushcart up next to the load dock of a major building?

No. A 50 foot buffer zone area on both sides of the dock must be allowed for loading and unloading.

If I forget to renew my CBD Location Permit exactly one month after it is issued, do I have any rights to the location?

No. After the permit expires, any CBD location is first come first served.

If I have a CBD Concession License, can I sell ice cream to children after they are released from school?

No. First of all, a CBD Location Permit is required for vending on public property within the CBD.  Also, vending within 2 city blocks of a school during the school day is prohibited.

If I get a location permit and CBD Concession License for a certain block, can I set up next to the crosswalk in order to catch the busy flow of rush hour and lunch hour pedestrian traffic.

No. Vending is prohibited when the setup is considered an obstruction to normal traffic flow and/ or pedestrians traffic.

Pushcart Setback Requirements (Adobe PDF)

Can I set my permitted hot dog cart in a park downtown?

The only manner by which one can vend food or handcraft items in a park is to obtain a park concession contract.  This contract may be available thru the Parks and Recreation Department.

Can I sell hamburgers at a concert being held at Artist Square if I do not have a mobile food unit permit?

Special Events Permits are issued on a temporary basis and are available from the Restaurant and Bar Inspection Division. Without a temporary permit, operating in Artist Square requires a CBD Concession License and because Artist Square is privately owned, permission must be obtained from the owners and/ or Special Event Coordinator for events transpiring in the area of Artist Square. 

If I obtain a location permit, is it possible to sell hot dogs, chicken fajitas, snow cones, canned beer and margaritas at my office party as long as everyone attending the party works at the office as well.

No. The possibility for contamination is great for potentially hazardous foods such as chicken.  Alcoholic Beverages are not allowed under a mobile food unit permit.  The most effective way to accomplish such a task would be to apply for a Special Events Permit.

Do I need a permit if I want to sell bottle water on a downtown street corner?

Yes. Bottle water is considered to be a pre-packaged food item, requiring a limited service permit, a CBD concession license and a location permit in order to vend on a downtown street corner.

Is the American Airlines Center or the Crescent Hotel considered to be in the CBD?

No. They both lie just outside of the northern boundary of the CBD.