Frequently Asked Questions about Food Trucks

• Am I allowed to sell alcohol as a mobile food vendor?

  No. Alcohol sales are not permitted from food trucks or mobile food vendors.

• Are there time limits for mobile food vending?

  Yes, there are limits on time and hours of operation for food trucks on public property.  You may conduct business from 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., every day of the week, including holidays, unless you are vending on private property or as part of a permitted special event. You cannot conduct business from a stationary public location for more than 90 minutes. 

  These rules do not apply to mobile food vendors operating on private property.

• Do I need a license for mobile food vending if I am vending at a permitted special event in the Village?

  No. You do not need a license as part of a special event. You will still be required to obtain a Kendall County Health Department food permit and may be subject to inspections. For more information regarding food permits, please contact the Kendall County Health Department by calling 630-553-9100 x8026, or learn more on the Kendall County Health Department Food Permits page.

• Do I need a license for mobile food vending?

  If you are vending on public property, yes. You will need to apply for a license through the Village if you are vending on public streets. The application process requires a background check, with fingerprinting, for all owners and/or operators of the mobile food vehicle or pushcart.

  No Village license is required for mobile food vendors operating on private property; however, a Kendall County Health Department food permit may still be required, and you must still abide by other Village regulations related to food trucks. 

• How long is a mobile food vendor license good for?

  The license period is January 1 through December 31. You will need to reapply each year.

• How much is a Village of Oswego food truck license?

  There is a $200 application fee. The fee includes your first mobile food vehicle or pushcart. Additional mobile food vehicles or pushcarts will be $100 each. Additionally, there is a $40 background check fee for each owner and/or operator of the mobile food vehicle or pushcart. All fees are non-refundable. 

• If I have a food permit through a different county, do I still need to obtain a food permit through Kendall County?

  Yes, if you are vending on public property or set up on private property but selling to the general public, you must have a Kendall County Health Department food permit even if you have a valid permit through another county.

• My food truck benefits a nonprofit. Do I still have to pay for a license?

  No application fee shall be charged of a mobile food vendor sponsored by or working for a religious, educational, or charitable organization where such organization is entirely a nonprofit organization and who can furnish the Village with a tax exempt number and written proof of its tax exempt status. 

• What are the rules for operating or serving patrons for food trucks?

  You cannot place any food or supplies on the ground, table, or any other object not part of your mobile food vehicle or pushcart.

  No tables or chairs can be placed adjacent to your mobile food vehicle or pushcart unless you are located on private property or part of a permitted special event. 

• Where are food trucks or mobile food vending prohibited?

  Food trucks and mobile food vending are prohibited: 

  • On Main Street from Jefferson Street to Tyler Street
  • On Washington Street from Parkers Mill to Route 71.
  • Within 200 feet of any school property between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. or when school is in session, unless you possess written permission from the school district that contains a date and time range that you are authorized to operate as a mobile food vendor on school district property.
  • In any park or park district property, within the Village, unless you have written permission from the park district which contains a date and time range that you are authorized to vend on their property.
  • In any area where the operation impedes vehicular or pedestrian travel.