Official Web Site of the City of Phoenix

Vending

Vending related activities are regulated by various city departments in Phoenix. The links below provide general information that should help you in understanding what is required for various vending related activities.

Mobile Vending / Mobile Food Vending

Mobile Vending is the selling, offering or display of items from a mobile vending or mobile food vending unit located on private property. It is required that anyone engaging in such activities have City of Phoenix Mobile Vending and/or Mobile Food Vending License. Mobile Vending is only permitted on properties zoned C-3, A-1 or A-2. The following is pertinent reference information relevant to such business activity:

• Informational packet

• Application (Please call 602.262.4638 for application)

• City Ordinance references found at Municode, Chapter 10 and 41 of the Phoenix City Code

• Phoenix privilege sales tax license information

• Ability to research the zoning of individual properties

Street Vending

Street Vending is the selling offering or display of items on public streets. It is required that anyone engaging in such activities have a City of Phoenix Street Vending License. The following is pertinent reference information relevant to such business activity:

• Informational packet

• Application (Please call 602.262.4638 for application)

• City Ordinance references can be found at Municode, Chapter 31 of the Phoenix City Code

• Phoenix privilege sales tax license information

• Maricopa County mobile food program permit information

Downtown Sidewalk Vending

A downtown sidewalk vending agreement is required for all fixed sidewalk vending locations within the Downtown Vending District. The following is pertinent reference information relevant to such business activity:

• Downtown Sidewalk Vending is awarded annually (for January 1 through December 31) by a bid process and requires a contract (license agreement) be signed with the city.

• Phoenix privilege sales tax license information

Vending in Parks

Vending in city parks is regulated by the Phoenix City Code. The following is pertinent reference information relevant to such business activity:

• City Ordinance references can be found at Municode Section 24-40 of the Phoenix City Code.Sec. 24-40.  Prohibition of commercial sales activities in public parks.
  (A)   "Commercial sales activity"  means the displaying for sale, selling, vending, peddling, or transfer of possession or ownership of an item for a price or for a stated minimum donation. 
  (B)   This section shall not apply to the sale of newspapers, books, brochures or other printed material, or items which have imprinted upon them a religious, political, philosophical or ideological message relevant to the purpose of the organization selling the item.
  (C)   It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in a commercial sales activity in a public park without first having obtained a concession contract approved by the Parks and Recreation Board.
  (D)   A person conducting a commercial sales activity in a public park shall have in his or her possession a copy of the concession contract issued by the Parks and Recreation Board and shall produce it for inspection upon the request of a Police Officer or Parks Ranger.
  (E)   A violation of this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
  
  (Ord. No. G-3901, § 1, passed 2-7-1996, eff. 2-7-1996; Ord. No. G-4699, § 1, adopted 5-11-2005, eff. 6-10-2005; Ord. No. G-5220, § 1, adopted 8-27-2008, eff. 9-26-2008).

If you have additional questions regarding this information, please contact the department responsible for the particular vending activity. Contact information is provided in the links above.

Last modified on 05/08/2009 13:00:43