Food Carts and Trucks in Eugene

People purchasing food at two local food trucks at Washington Jefferson Park

A food cart, also known as a mobile food unit, is a vehicle that is self-propelled or that can be pulled or pushed down a sidewalk, street, or highway, on which food is prepared or processed and is used in selling and dispensing food to the consumer.


A building permit is not required for a mobile food unit as long as:


  • The vehicle is on wheels at all times. (There is no requirement that it be moved at any specific time interval only that it be able to be moved.)
  • It is not enclosed by a structure, attached to a structure, or otherwise restricted from being able to be moved at all times.
  • It does not require a special permit from the Oregon Department of Transportation to be moved.
  • Connection to onsite electrical is via a flexible cord plugged into a receptacle; no hard-wired connection allowed.
  • There is no piped connection to water service or wastewater piping.

View our Food Vending Fact Sheet to learn more about rules and regulations related to food carts and trucks.

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