Vending Report and Proposed Updates

Program Background

Chapter 719 of the Code of Ordinances governs Vendors and Peddlers in the City of Pittsburgh. The Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections licenses vendors operating in the public right-of-way. While mobile vendors move at least once every four hours and operate from metered parking spots, stationary vendors are licensed for specific locations on the street or sidewalk.

Currently, the City determines approved locations through nominations to the Street and Sidewalk Vending Site Designation Committee, which sends individual sites to City Council for final approval while the Zoning Code regulates vending on private property.

Policy changes have been submitted for City Council's review in two ordinances: one amending the Zoning Code, and the other amending Chapter 719 of the City Code, Vendors and Peddlers. A hearing will be held in fall 2025 to receive public testimony for or against these changes.

Approach & Goals

Working cross-departmentally and with stakeholder groups, we are seeking to identify opportunities to improve the mobile vending program in Pittsburgh. Through extensive research and conversations, our team developed a set of recommendations detailed in the linked report (see above). Feedback on these recommendations has informed the legislation proposed to Council and will continue to shape these policies during the Council process.

Goals for updating the program include the following:

  • Develop a clear, transparent, and efficient process for matching vendors with appropriate locations in the right-of-way
  • Expand opportunities for vending in the right-of-way and on public and private property
  • Prevent forced movement of vendors, and have a clear process in place for when this is unavoidable
  • Promote equity between stationary and mobile vendors
  • Become a national leader in supporting vending as a means of economic mobility and incubation opportunity
  • Develop a strategic and equitable fee structure that addresses licensing, inspection, maintenance, vacant lot use, trash collection, use of parking, and/or other considerations

Examples Across the Country

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  • Denver, Colorado

    Denver's mobile food licensing program authorizes vending carts to operate on sidewalks at corners that meet the City's criteria and food trucks to reserve parking meters for their operations.

    Mobile Retail Food Truck, Trailer and Cart Guide 

  • Portland, Oregon

    This packet outlines the requirements and steps for vending on the sidewalk in Portland, Oregon. Page 6 features an overview of the site requirements and a sample site plan.

    Portland Sidewalk Cart Vending Application 

  • Austin, Texas

    Austin permits Mobile Food Vendors and Mobile Retail Establishments on private property in commercial and industrial zones (except for office zones) and Right of Way Permits for stationary vendors interested in operating in the right of way.

    Austin Vendor Permits in the Right of Way 

  • Boston, Massachusetts

    Like many cities across the US, Boston is reimagining street vending to open up more economic opportunities for residents. The Food Cart Pilot specifies zones for non-motorized food carts to operate.

    Boston 2024 Food Cart Pilot 

  • Oakland, California

    Oakland offers a streamlined application for Stationary and Roaming vendors interested in vending on private property, the public right-of-way, and city-owned property. The City hosts a map of permitted zones for each type of vendor and on private property, the public right-of-way, and city-owned property.

    Oakland Map of Permitted Locations 

  • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

    Philadelphia regulates vending differently depending on the area within the City, with limits on licenses available in designated Special Vending Districts. Philadelphia also specifies areas and streets where vending is prohibited and publishes these in an online map.

    Philadelphia Sidewalk Sales License 

Banner Image: Google Street View, 2024