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 Opens a New Window. to learn more about rules and regulations related to food carts and trucks.
Seeking More Food Carts
The City of Eugene would love to see more food carts downtown and in some of our City parks!
We have great locations available in the heart of our bustling downtown, including Kesey Square and the Hult Center Plaza. Or venture out into parks like WJ skatepark, Alton Baker Park and Oakmont Park. Over 16,000 employees work downtown every day and recent survey results reveal 9.3 million park visits by adults annually – they love a good cart!
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