STOP!  Please submit a Mobile Food Vending Renewal Form instead of applying for a new license.

The annual application fee for a Mobile Food Vendor business license is $55.   The primary contact for applications submitted online will be contacted within 1-2 business days to make a credit card payment over the phone.  All fees are non-refundable.

Standard processing time is 7-10 business days.  The Town of Gilbert has a maximum of 30 days to process business license applications.

Prior to the issuance of a Mobile Food Vending License, you will be contacted by Gilbert Fire Prevention to arrange a fire inspection of the Mobile Food Unit, or you may provide documentation from another city or town fire department in Arizona indicating the Mobile Food Unit passed a fire inspection within the preceding 12 months.

Incomplete applications or those received without the required supplemental information will not be processed.

Fields identified with an asterisk (*) are required.

The following documents must be attached to the application prior to being submitted.  Please have them available prior to proceeding with the application.  Failure to include all documents will delay processing

1. Photos of the: 
   • vehicle being used
   • VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
   • license plate.

2. Copy of valid Arizona driver’s license or other government issued ID for business owner(s).

3. Copy of vehicle liability insurance:
   1. $25,000 bodily injury liability for one person and $50,000 for two or more persons.  
   2. $15,000 property damage liability

4. If selling food: copy of County Permit

5. Evidence of a fire inspection by the Gilbert Fire Prevention Division or provide documentation the Mobile Food Unit passed a fire inspection by another city or town fire department in Arizona within the preceding 12 months.
   • If you do not have any documentation, Gilbert Fire Prevention will contact you to arrange a fire inspection.

Licensing Eligibility - Required for Individual or Sole Proprietor Only

According to the Legal Arizona Workers Act (A.R.S. 41-1080), specific documentation is required to issue a business license if your business ownership type is identified as an Individual, Sole Proprietorship, or Husband and Wife business. Before your license can be approved, you must provide a copy of one of the following documents indicating your presence in the United States is authorized under federal law (if applying as Husband and Wife both individuals must provide documentation).

This provision does not apply to an individual, if all of the following apply:

1. The individual is a citizen of a foreign country, or, if at the time of application, the individual resides in a foreign country.

2. The benefits that are related to the license do not require the individual to be present in United States in order to receive those benefits.

Please select the appropriate box below indicating lawful presence.

If yes to any of the above, a Fire Prevention Representative will contact you within 5 business days to schedule a fire inspection. 

A fire inspection shall be required unless you provide evidence the food truck passed a fire inspection by another city or town fire department in Arizona within the preceding 12 months. 

Should a fire inspection be required, you must schedule the inspection within 20 days of your application date and pay the associated fee prior to the inspection date; a failure to comply with either of these requirements may result in the cancelation of your application.  Fees will not be refunded.  Following are the requirements per the Gilbert Fire Department policy:  

Every Mobile Food Unit is required to have a Town of Gilbert Business License and/or a Town of Gilbert Transient Merchant License, or Mobile Food Vending License. 

All Mobile Food Units shall have a current Maricopa County Environmental Health Code Permit which must be clearly visible from the rear exterior of the vehicle. In addition, the permit to operate must be maintained with the vehicle at all times. All Mobile Food Units shall be in full compliance with the Maricopa County Environmental Health Code and all other applicable regulations.

All Mobile Food Units must have a minimum of one 2A:10BC fire extinguisher. Mobile Food Units with an automatic fire extinguishing system, and/or involve cooking with solid fuels or vegetable or animal oils and fats shall also have a Type K (1.5 gallon) fire extinguisher.

Commercial cooking or display equipment which produces smoke, steam, grease, mists, particulate matter, condensation, vapors, fumes, odors, or create a sanitation or indoor air quality problems shall have a hood that complies with the latest International Mechanical Code.

All hoods, vents and filters shall be maintained and kept clean.

All Mobile Food Units with an automatic fire-extinguishing system shall have a current service tag. (All systems are required to be serviced every six months).

Mobile Food Units that utilize flammable gases shall be equipped with gas alarms appropriate for the type of gas being used.

LP-gas containers installed on the vehicle and fuel-gas piping systems shall be inspected annually by an approved inspection agency. CNG containers shall be inspected every 3 years in a qualified service facility. Inspection tag shall be on the fuel gas system or within the vehicle at all times.

Placement of all Mobile Food Units shall meet the following separation distances:

Mobile Food Units without a fire suppression system must be separated by a minimum of ten feet (bumper to bumper or side to side from structures, property lines, combustible material and other Mobile Food Units).

Mobile Food Units with a fire suppression system have no separation distance requirement.

If seeking to operate on public property (Town property), applicants will need an executed Town Property Agreement prior to selling goods. 

The Town of Gilbert is known as a clean, safe and vibrant community. As Gilbert gains national recognition for being a wonderful place to live and work, these Good Neighbor Principles will enhance the efforts to bring family activities to the community.  The Town encourages everyone to be a good neighbor in keeping Gilbert clean, safe, vibrant and respecting public and private property, while adding to the current mix of businesses. The Good Neighbor Principles include:

1.)        Keeping Gilbert a safe place.

2.)        Keeping Gilbert clean and well maintained.

3.)        Respecting public and private property.

4.)        Manage potential impacts to adjacent or nearby establishments and residents such as noise, lighting, parking, and trash.

5.)        Being accountable, available, and responsive, as reasonable, to community comments and concerns.

Mobile Food Vending operations shall adhere to the signage regulations specified under “Temporary Uses and Special Events”, per Section 4.402Y of the Gilbert Land Development Code – Signage Regulations:

Temporary Uses and Special Event Signs

Temporary uses and special events listed in section 4.5012 Temporary Uses, located in the Commercial, Heritage Village Center, Office, Employment, Gateway and Public Facility/ Institutional Zoning Districts shall be permitted up to three (3) on-site banner signs and up to four (4) off-premise traffic directional signs, subject to the following regulations:

1. On-Site Banner Signs. Three banner signs, each no greater than 40 square feet in area may be placed on the site of the temporary use or special event.

2. Off-Premise Traffic Directional Signs. Up to four (4) off-premise traffic directional signs are permitted, subject to the following regulations:

   1. Type/Size. A-Frame Signs no greater than 31 inches in width and 45 inches in height.

   2. Display. Signs shall be displayed up to 24 hours in advance of the event and on the day(s) the event is permitted to take place.

   3. Location. Signs may be placed in the right-of way subject to Traffic Engineer and Zoning Administrator approval to ensure signage does not interfere with traffic safety and pedestrian circulation or on private property with written permission of the property owner.

Reminder!

The following documents are required and must be attached to the application.  Failure to include all documents will delay processing.

1. Photos of the: 
   • Vehicle being used
   • VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
   • License plate.

2. Copy of valid Arizona driver’s license or other government issued ID for business owner(s).

3. Copy of vehicle liability insurance: bodily injury, $100K per person, bodily injury, $300K per accident; property damage, $25K per accident

4. If selling food: copy of County Permit

5. Evidence of a fire inspection by the Gilbert Fire Prevention Division or provide documentation the Mobile Food Unit passed a fire inspection by another city or town fire department in Arizona within the preceding 12 months.
   • If you do not have any documentation, Gilbert Fire Prevention will contact you to arrange a fire inspection.

The Town wishes to notify all applicants of certain rights the applicant has related to the issuance of a license.

Arizona Revised Statues, Chapter 7, Article 4

9-834. Prohibited acts by municipalities and employees; enforcement; notice

A. A municipality shall not base a licensing decision in whole or in part on a licensing requirement or condition that is not specifically authorized by statute, rule, ordinance or code. A general grant of authority does not constitute a basis for imposing a licensing requirement or condition unless the authority specifically authorizes the requirement or condition.

B. Unless specifically authorized, a municipality shall avoid duplication of other laws that do not enhance regulatory clarity and shall avoid dual permitting to the maximum extent practicable.

C. This section does not prohibit municipal flexibility to issue licenses or adopt ordinances or codes.

D. A municipality shall not request or initiate discussions with a person about waiving that person's rights.

E. This section may be enforced in a private civil action and relief may be awarded against a municipality. The court may award reasonable attorney fees, damages and all fees associated with the license application to a party that prevails in an action against a municipality for a violation of this section.

F. A municipal employee may not intentionally or knowingly violate this section. A violation of this section is cause for disciplinary action or dismissal pursuant to the municipality's adopted personnel policy.

G. This section does not abrogate the immunity provided by section 12-820.01 or 12-820.02.