Vending

NOTICE TO VENDORS AND PEDDLERS

All requirements for a vending license must be met before a license can be issued.

Applications submitted between April 20 and April 25 do not guarantee issuance of a license prior to the NFL Draft.

To obtain a City of Pittsburgh Vending License, applicants must have all required documentation, including (but not limited to):
    -Valid identification City of Pittsburgh Tax Compliance Letter
    -Required insurance coverage
    -Applicable health permits (if selling food or beverages)
    -Vehicle/equipment information and photos (if applicable)

If you have not already obtained a City of Pittsburgh Vending License, you are prohibited from vending.

Unlicensed vendors will be subject to enforcement under Title 7, Section 719 (Vendors and Peddlers).

What is Vending?

The City of Pittsburgh considers a vendor to be anyone who sells or offers goods, services, wares or merchandise from an approved vending unit or vending vehicle. Peddlers, who travel by foot and do not have a unit, are also considered to be vendors but have a different set of rules to follow.

Selling goods outside of a traditional storefront is typically considered vending, but outdoor retail displays, dining seating, or other extensions of adjacent storefronts are not. Most vendors use a truck, trailer, kiosk, pushcart, stand, or tent and table. When using the street or sidewalk, businesses operating from table and tent set ups are considered vendors.

What permits do I need?

The City of Pittsburgh considers any person selling by foot or from a unit or vehicle to be a Vendor. Most vendors will need a Vending License, unless:

  • Part of a permitted Special Event, City farmers market, or other event obtaining separate permits
  • Vending from a tent and/or table on private land not owned by the City
  • In the heart of the Strip District between Fifteenth St, Twenty-Fourth St, Liberty Ave, and Waterfront Pl and Railroad St

Vendors exempt from obtaining a license are still expected to follow use standards, operational guidelines, County health code, and all other relevant laws. 

In addition, vendors may need a Vending Location Priority Permit to have guaranteed access to a particular location on the street or sidewalk or in City parks. If vending occurs on private property and the site is in or near a residential zone, permanent structures are included, or the zoning lot is used only for vending, either the vendor or property owner needs a Zoning permit.

A vending vehicle fire inspection through the City of Pittsburgh Fire Bureau will be required for all vending vehicles with heating elements, effective January 1, 2027. Please contact Pittsburgh's Deputy Fire Marshall, Christopher Skertich at christopher.skertich@pittsburghpa.gov to schedule a your vending vehicle's fire inspection.

Vending License - What do I need before I apply?

The exact requirements depend on how you plan to vend (cart, truck, stand, or by foot), but most applicants will need the following before applying for a City of Pittsburgh Vending License:

Basic requirement
You will need to apply for a Vending License through the OneStopPGH portal. The total cost is $137, and the license is valid for one year.

Core documents
Most applicants will need a valid government-issued photo ID and a City of Pittsburgh Tax Compliance Letter showing that no city taxes are owed. This letter must be issued by the Department of Finance and can take 5–10 business days to process. A business registration confirmation alone does not meet this requirement.

Operational information
You will need to provide a description of your vending setup (cart, truck, stand, or foot) and what you plan to sell.

If using a cart, truck, or vending unit
Additional materials are required, including any applicable vehicle or equipment registration, photos of your setup (front, rear, and interior if applicable), and general liability insurance listing the City of Pittsburgh as the certificate holder. Insurance must meet minimum coverage requirements and match your registered business name.

You will also need either Workers’ Compensation Insurance (if you have employees) or a No-Employees Affidavit.

If selling food or drinks
You must obtain a certificate from the Allegheny County Health Department. This may apply even if you are selling prepackaged food.

If operating cooking equipment in a food truck
Beginning January 1, 2027, a fire safety inspection from the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire will be required. Vendors may choose to complete this inspection in advance.

 

Application Process

Applications can be made through the OneStopPGH Portal or at the in-person counter. 

The fees for vending licensing and permits include:

Per Vending License
Vending License new and renewal fee: $135.00
Technology Fee: $2.00
Total $137.00
Per Location Permit
Vending Location Priority Permit new
and renewal fee:		 $50.00
Technology Fee: $2.00
Location Inspection fee: $15.00
Total $67.00

Updated vending program fees will be reflected in the revised fee schedule.

Pittsburgh Vending Rules

Rules

Locations

Special Districts

Helpful Resources 

What if I have questions about this program?

If you have questions about obtaining licenses and permits, the OneStopPGH team is the place to go: OneStopPGH - Pittsburgh, PA.

To report a non-urgent violation of the program rules, please use the Pittsburgh 311 system

Any eminent safety threats should be reported to 911.

Accommodations

Anyone subject to these regulations may request a reasonable accommodation to modify how the City provides services due to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended. To request a reasonable accommodation, contact the ADA Coordinator at ada@pittsburghpa.gov or 412-301-7041.

last updated: 04/21/2026

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