Pushcart/Animal Drawn Food Vending Permit

Definitions

A mobile pushcart food vendor is someone who has obtained a permit to serve or sell food on the public right-of-way from a mobile cart pushed by hand or bicycle but not motorized. The cart shall be easily maneuverable by one person.

An animal-drawn food vendor is someone who has obtained a permit to sell food from a mobile cart drawn by a horse, donkey, or mule. Carts must be completely mobile and have no fixed location.

Prohibited Locations and Times

Pushcart and animal-drawn food vendor permits are not valid in the following locations and/or times:

• Within two blocks of any elementary or secondary school when school is in session.
• In certain locations during Mardi Gras, as per Section 34-34 of the City Code.
• During the annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival season, commencing at 7:00 AM on the first day of live music performances and continuing through and until 11:50 PM on the concluding day of live music performances. The prohibited area is bounded by:
  • Florida Avenue
  • North Broad Avenue
  • Esplanade Avenue
  • Bayou Saint John, excluding the portion of that area contained within the exterior boundaries of the New Orleans Fair Grounds Racetrack.
• In a "Clean Zone". A Clean Zone is an area established by an ordinance adopted by the City Council, which suspends certain permits and transactions in designated areas of public property and outside of buildings during specific dates and times, such as during large events.
• Whenever the City requires the use of its public right-of-way to facilitate projects or events within the right-of-way.
• For vendors who were not already operating legally in the Central Business District, the Vieux Carre (French Quarter) or residential areas prior to July 2013:
  • Any Residential Zoning District
  • ​The Central Business District, bounded by:
    • The Mississippi River
    • The northbound side of North Rampart Street
    • Iberville Street
    • Howard Avenue and Andrew Higgins DRive
  • The Vieux Carre (French Quarter), bounded by:
    • Iberville Street
    • The northbound side of North Rampart Street
    • Esplanade Avenue
    • The Mississippi River

Operational Restrictions

• All sales must take place between 11:00 AM and 11:00 PM.
• Vendors may not operate within 20 feet of any intersection or in a manner that impedes vehicular or pedestrian traffic on streets or sidewalks.
• Advertising is limited to the name of the vendor, the type of food sold, and the cost.
• No horn, amplified sound, or other sound devices or music.
• Licenses and permits must be visibly displayed on the vendor's pushcart or animal-drawn vehicle during operation.
• Pushcarts, bicycles, or other carts must not be motorized.
• Pushcarts, bicycles, or other carts must be able to be easily and readily moved by any person, or be exclusively powered by a horse, donkey, or mule.
• Vendors must be completely mobile and have no permanent fixed location.
• Only food that is prepared, packaged, or in a form that is meant for immediate consumption (e.g. hot dogs) may be sold.
• No fresh produce, or row or cooked seafood sold in bulk may be sold using this permit.
• No other goods, wares, or other items may be sold.
• No vendor may sell alcoholic beverages, controlled substances, or any other illegal item.
• Vendors must obey all applicable traffic and vehicle safety laws, regulations, and restrictions.
• Pushcarts must not exceed 6 feet in length, 4 feet in width, and 5 feet in height.
• The bottom of a pushcart must be at least one foot from the ground.

Fees

• A non-refundable initial application fee of $50.00;
• If approved, a permit fee of $200.25, which shall be renewed annually;
• If approved, an occupational license fee of $150.00, which shall be renewed annually;
• If approved, a $50.00 sales tax deposit;
• A $5.00 I.D. card fee per card; and
• Any other applicable fee that may apply.

Required Documents

• Fire Department Application and Inspection. The Fire Department requires and application and inspection related to food and fire safety. 
  • Review their packet.
  • Complete the NOFD Mobile/Temporary Vendor Permit Application.
  • Bring your application and cart to 317 Decatur Street between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday, along with your $50 annual application fee (not included in the City fees above). An inspection can usually be conducted at the same time.
  • For questions, please call Fire Prevention at (504) 658-4770.
• State Health Permit. State Health Permit applications are typically reviewed within 10 days, and an inspection will be scheduled. To apply for a permit:
  • Complete the Mobile Unit Plan Review Questionnaire.
  • Prepare a detailed, scale-drawn floor plan.
  • Submit the questionnaire and floor plan to Orleans Parish Sanitarian Gwen Shook at gwen.shook@la.gov.
  • Pay the $150 annual State Health Permit fee (not included in the City fees above).
  • For questions, please call (504) 568-7970.
• Proof of Insurance.
  • Pushcart and animal-drawn food vendors must have commercial general liability insurance coverage of at least $50,000.
  • The City of New Orleans should be named as an insured party, providing insurance coverage for any incident that may occur while vending on the public right-of-way. 
    • The City's official address is:
      City of New Orleans
      1300 Perdido St
      ​New Orleans, LA 70112
  • Insurance coverage must be valid at the time of application, and held continuously throughout the year while vending.
• Photo of Pushcart.
  • Indicate the pushcart dimensions on the photo.
• Driver's License, State-Issued Photo ID, or Passport
  • Scan or photo of official photo ID for the owner or agent filing the application.
• If not applying online at onestopapp.nola.gov, complete the Occupational License Application Form.

User Guides

• Pushcart/Animal-Drawn Food Vending Permit Checklist
• Pushcart & Animal Drawn Food Vending Reference Sheet
• Food Truck Permitting Quick Reference Sheet

Contact

Bureau of Revenue: (504) 658-1666 or (504) 658-1648
revenue.vendorpermits@nola.gov