Urbana has a long-standing tradition of supporting local businesses, including the vibrant presence of mobile food vendors. For years, residents and visitors have enjoyed diverse culinary offerings from food trucks at various locations throughout the City.
With the continued growth in popularity, mobile food vendors have become a thriving part of Urbana’s business landscape, leading to increased interest in starting and managing food trucks.
In response, the City of Urbana’s Human Resources and Finance Department, in collaboration with the Community Development Services Department, has compiled essential information to guide aspiring mobile food vendors. The resources below aim to simplify the process of launching and operating a food cart in Urbana and provides clear directions for obtaining the necessary licenses and permits.
Definition of a Mobile Food Vendor
A mobile food vendor is a self-contained food service operation located in a readily movable, motorized wheeled or towed vehicle that is used to store, prepare, display, or serve food intended for individual portion service.
How to Get Started
Step 1:
Mobile food vendors planning to operate in Urbana must obtain a health permit from the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (C-UPHD). Upon completion of the application process, the district issues a health permit, and the City issues a license. Fees for an Urbana Food License are collected by CUPHD. For more information, please contact the health district:
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District
Environmental Health Division
201 W. Kenyon Rd.
Champaign, IL 61820
217-373-7900
eh [at] c-uphd.org (eh[at]c-uphd[dot]org)
Step 2:
After receiving a health permit and City license, a mobile food vendor should contact the City to make the arrangements for operating in Urbana. Proof of a Mobile Food License is required. Licensed mobile food vendors can operate in Urbana in any of the following ways:
Fixed Location on Private Property
Licensed mobile food vendors can only operate on private property in residential districts that allow such vendors. Licensed vendors should check with the Community Development Services Department to ensure the property is properly zoned for this type of business. For more information, contact the department at 217-384-2444.
Locations on Public Property: Metered and Non-Metered Streets
The City of Urbana is excited to allow food trucks on the City’s streets and in neighborhoods.
Licensed food vendors may operate on City non-metered streets for up to four hours. Operating for more than four hours may lead to parking enforcement citations.
For licensed food vendors operating mobile units on metered streets during enforcement hours, please do the following:
Mobile food vendors can choose to park on a metered street without reserving a parking meter; however, expired meters will be subject to fines during the hours of enforcement. Meters are enforced in the Campus and Hospital Districts from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday in the Downtown Business District. Metered spaces are not guaranteed to be available without a reservation.
Click here for information about reserving a parking meter (Meter Bagging).