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Apply for the 2024 Food Cart Pilot Program

Last updated:

This summer, the City of Boston will open up new opportunities for food carts and mobile vendors to sell on Boston streets and in neighborhoods.

Step
1

Complete the 2024 Food Cart Pilot Program Form

To apply for the 2024 Food Cart Pilot Program, please complete the pilot program application.

2024 Food Cart Pilot Program application

Step
2

GET YOUR PERMITS

You will need a few permits before you are permitted to operate.

1. FIRE and health Permits

First-time food cart operators will have to call the Fire Department at 617-343-3447 to schedule an inspection for a fire permitThey do inspections Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. 

Inspectional Services does inspections for health permits Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. You do not need to schedule an appointment before you visit. Call Tom McAdams at 617-961-3293 for more information.

On the day of your scheduled appointment, please bring your food cart to:

Fire Prevention

1010 Massachusetts Avenue

Boston, MA 02218

You may also need to bring your permit application for Open Burning and Cooking Operations.  If your cart passes the fire inspection, you'll be given a permit and the fire inspector will sign your application.

On the day of your health inspection, please bring your food cart to:

Inspectional Services Department

1010 Massachusetts Avenue

Boston, MA 02218

You also need to bring several documents:


2. Hawker and Peddler License

Each worker needs to complete a Hawker and Peddler License. The fee to apply is $62. You can pay with a check or money order made payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Each worker needs to have their local police chief sign the Certificate of Character section of the Hawker and Peddler License application. 

The police check each applicant's criminal history through their fingerprints. The Boston Police charge $50 for this service.

For more information, visit the Director of Standards:

One Ashburton Place, Room 1115

Boston, MA 02108

Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.


3. Business Certificate 

To file a registered business certificate as a food cart vendor, you must have a valid:
The filing fee is $65. If you are not a Massachusetts resident but you want to conduct business in the state, you need to pay an additional $35.

You can either complete this process in person or by mail. You must submit your documents, payment, and completed form to the City Hall Clerk’s Office at:

City Hall, Room 601

1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02201

Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.


4. Certificate of Liability Insurance 

Contact an insurance provider to purchase a liability insurance policy that is reasonable for your needs. Once the policy is active, request a certificate of liability insurance from your insurance agent or company. 

Be sure to use Boston City Hall Address (1 City Hall Square #500 Boston, MA 02201) as Certificate Holder.


5. Commissary Letter 

A commissary is the licensed food establishment where you prepare and store food. You report to them twice a day. Possible locations include community kitchens, church kitchens, or restaurant kitchens. 

You will need a letter from the kitchen owner that states you use the facility as your base of operations. If the kitchen is outside of Boston, you need to include a  health permit for the commissary kitchen.

Step
3

Pick your vending location

Pick your vending location based on the following available locations:

City Hall Plaza (Downtown)
1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02203
Lunch, 11 a.m to 3 p.m.
Dinner, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
 
Mckim Branch, Central Library (Back Bay)
700 Boylston St. Boston, MA 02116
Lunch, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Dinner, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
 
Phillips Square (Chinatown) 
1 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02111
Lunch, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Dinner, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
 
Adams Street Branch of the Boston Public Library (Dorchester)
690 Adams St, Dorchester, MA 02122
Lunch, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Dinner,  4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
 
Maverick Square (East Boston)
63 Maverick Square, Boston, MA 02128
Lunch, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Dinner,  4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
 
Step
4

Start vending

Once you are approved, you can start vending! 

For all questions and inquiries, please contact:
Weldon Bodrick 
Mobile Enterprise Manager

 

Food Cart Pilot Program Locations

Food Cart Background Information

A street food cart operates like a mobile kitchen. It is not motorized. 

Food carts are limited in the types of food they sell. They can sell chicken kabobs, salads, falafel, burritos, etc. if they have handwashing facilities. Otherwise, they are limited to serving non-potentially hazardous (TCS) foods such as coffee or cupcakes.

A food cart cannot have an open flame or be larger than three feet wide by six feet long. 

If you would like assistance starting your food cart business, please contact the Office of Small Business at smallbiz@boston.gov or 617-635-0355.

About the Pilot

This pilot simplifies the application process by adding predetermined zones where vendors can choose to sell and increases assistance during the approval process.

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