Vending Program
The City of Atlanta offers opportunities to entrepreneurs interested in operating vending businesses. These opportunities are designed to add vibrancy to the public and private realms and promote economic development.
The policies and regulations for vending in the City of Atlanta differ based upon the type of location where you wish to operate from. Food vending entrepreneurs must adhere to additional policies and regulations overseen by the Fulton or DeKalb County Boards of Health and/or the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
Type of Location
The first step in determining the requirements to operate your vending business is deciding whether the location you wish to operate from is within the public right-of-way (streets, sidewalks), private property (i.e. a private parking lot) or at a special event.
Public Right-of-Way
The City of Atlanta offers several opportunities for entrepreneurs to operate a vending business within the public right-of-way (sidewalks and streets). This includes from 29 designated cart locations on sidewalks, plazas and parks in downtown; at designated food truck areas on streets, and within brick and mortar kiosks in downtown. A permit is also available to roving ice cream trucks operating in the public right-of-way.
Learn more about these opportunities by clicking the icons below.
Private Property
Operating a vending business on private property, such as a food truck on a private parking lot, is regulated by the City of Atlanta Police Department’s License and Permit Unit. A Special Administrative Permit (SAP) may be required from the Office of Zoning.
Learn more about the process to operate a vending business from private property by clicking the icon below.
Special Events
The Mayor's Office of Special Events (MOSE) facilitates the permit process for outdoor events in the City of Atlanta. Permits for these events are granted to the event organizer. Vending at events is arranged through the event organizer. Visit the MOSE master calendar to view all scheduled events. The event listings on the calendar will show that event's point of contact. Please contact the event organizer directly for information on how to vend at the event.
Food Vending
Regardless of location type, all vending entrepreneurs wishing to sell prepared food items in the City of Atlanta must obtain a mobile food unit permit or written approval from the Fulton or DeKalb County Boards of Health. This must be obtained before applying for a City of Atlanta public or private vending permit. To learn more, visit the Fulton County Board of Health website or call their central district office at 404-613-1303. If your business is based in DeKalb County, visit the DeKalb County Board of Health website.
Vending entrepreneurs wishing to sell commercially pre-packaged food items must obtain a food license from the Georgia Department of Agriculture or a letter from the department stating that a food license is not required. A copy of this license or letter must be included when applying for your City of Atlanta public or private vending permit. To learn more, visit the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s website.
NOTE: The parks and trails of the Atlanta BeltLine are managed and maintained by the City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation and Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. As such, certain activities, including vending, are currently prohibited.
For reference, the City of Atlanta Code authorizing public vending can be found in Section 30, Article XXIII.
The private property vending code can be found in Section 30, Article XXIV.
For additional questions, please email vending@atlantaga.gov