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Zoning Guidelines

Street Vendor Zoning Guidelines

A basic Street Vending License entitles a vendor to sell merchandise or food on public property in the City of Madison. Additional Health Department licenses are required for food vendors. Additional licenses are required for vending within specialized areas like the Mall / Concourse or High Density Vending areas.
 

Private Property Zoned for Commercial Use

Free-Standing Vending - The activity of selling or offering for sale of any foodstuffs by placing a cart or equipment on private property; preparing food, beverage or articles for sale; or in any other manner participating in the vending operation or attempting to publicly sell or offer for sale any foodstuffs from private property.

This type of vending is only allowed for food vendors. The prperty owner must hold Free-Standing Vending approval from the Zoning Department, the food vendor must hold a vailid Basic or Umbrella Street Vending License and all required health department licenses. 

 

Private Property Zoned for Residential Use
It is never legal for a street vendor to sell merchandise or food on private property zoned for residential use, even if the property owner has given permission. It is not legal to conduct any kind of sales or fundraisers from the front yard, driveway, porch, etc., of a residence.
Last Updated: 12/09/2019

Contact Meghan Blake-Horst, Street Vending Coordinator

  • PH: 608-261-9171
  • FAX: 608-261-6126
  • EMAIL: streetvending@cityofmadison.com
  • MAIL ADDRESS:
    Department of Planning & Community & Economic Development
    Economic Development Division
    Office of Business Resources
    P.O. Box 2983
    Madison WI 53701-2983
  • PHYSICAL ADDRESS:
    215 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, 3rd Floor
    Madison WI 53703

Bike Path Vending Prohibited

It is illegal to vend on any Madison bike path, bike way or recreational trail.