FAQs

Municipal Clerk - Food Truck & Peddler's License FAQs

1. Who Can I Contact To Ask Questions About Having A Food Truck In Rahway?

Questions Regarding The Process

Applications are submitted to the City Clerk's office. They are then submitted to the Police department for background check. Once cleared, your vehicle must be inspected by the Health department, and if you have a propane tank, inspected by the Fire department. The Clerk's office will call you when your license is ready for pick-up.

Police: 732-827-2200 | Records@cityofrahway.com
Health: 732-827-2018 | Health@cityofrahway.com
Fire: 732-827-2155 | FirePrevention@cityofrahway.comn
City Clerk: 732-827-2100 | CityClerkDepartment@cityofrahway.com

Who Should I Contact Regarding Having My Food Truck At A City of Rahway Event?

Please contact the Department of Recreation and Senior Services at 732-669-3600.

2. How Do I Apply For An Annual or Special Event Food Truck License?

For Annual Food Truck Licenses

NOTICE: THERE ARE NO MORE ANNUAL FOOD TRUCK LICENSES AVAILABLE FOR 2024.

Please fill out this form and drop it off at the City Clerk Department. Make sure every item on the checklist is completed before submission to the City Clerk or your incomplete application will be returned to you.

Have your truck inspected by the Health Department: Health Department Inspection Form (PDF)

If using a propane tank, have the tank inspected by the Fire Department: Fire Safety Permit (PDF)

For Special Event Food Truck Licenses

Please come in person to the Clerk's office to fill out the appropriate forms. Make sure every item on the application is completed before submission to the City Clerk or your incomplete application will be returned to you.

Have your truck inspected by the Health Department: Health Department Inspection Form (PDF)

If using a propane tank, have the tank inspected by the Fire Department: Fire Safety Permit (PDF)

3. What Is The Difference Between A Food Truck and Peddler's License?: A Food Truck is expected to sell food either by being be parked in one of the designated locations set forth by the City's Code or by moving throughout the City. A Peddler's License is for those selling wares that are not food - like balloons or other trinkets.

4. How Many Food Trucks Are Allowed In The City Of Rahway?

Annual Licenses

5 food truck permits associated with brick and mortar businesses within the City of Rahway;
5 food truck permits that are NOT associated with any brick and mortar business within the City of Rahway; and
5 ice cream truck permits.

Special Events

There is no limit on Special Event food truck permits, but be advised that the event planners may limit the amount of trucks which may participate in their events.

5. Where Can Food Trucks Park & What Hours Can They Operate?

Hours

Parking on public streets is limited to the hours of:

Tues-Sat: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Sun-Mon: 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. .

Food and drinks may only be sold on public streets between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The final hour should be used to clean up within 30 feet of your location prior to departure.

General Limitations

No location within 200 feet of the property of any elementary, middle, or high school, whether public or private;
No location within 100 feet of any residence building
No location within 500 feet of any restaurant or eating and drinking establishment.

Streets Allowed

New Brunswick Avenue: Between E Inman Avenue and E Hazelwood Avenue
East Hazelwood Avenue: Between Witherspoon Street and Hart Street
E Inman Avenue: Between Elizabeth Street and Leesville Avenue
Regina Avenue: Between New Brunswick Avenue and Holly Place
St. Georges Avenue, subject to distance requirements from residences and restaurants and eating establishments, and all State requirements.

Private Commercial Properties

Food vehicles may only occupy private commercial properties in the I-L Light Industrial and I-H Heavy Industrial Zones with the express permission of the property owner. Hours of operation shall be limited to the same hours of operation of the private commercial property on which the food vehicle has permission to be located. In the event that a private property in the aforementioned zones is within 100 feet of a residential use or zone, food vehicles shall not be permitted between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

All food trucks located on private property shall be required to obtain a Zoning Permit from the City. All food trucks located on private property count towards the maximum permitted number of licenses. In no case shall a food vendor be located within 500 feet of a brick and mortar eating establishment or 100 ft of a residential property.

6. Are Food Trucks Which Pay For An Annual License Subject To Special Event License Fees?: Food trucks with a valid annual License from the City of Rahway are not required to complete a Special Event License.

7. What Are The Fees For A Food Truck or Peddler's License?

Annual Food Truck Fees

Police: $100 for Initial Background Check ($50 for renewal)
Identogo: Price Is Set By Vendor
Health Department: $100 (Vehicle Inspection)
Fire Department: $50 (Propane Inspection – Fee Waived If Rahway business)
City Clerk: $250 (if the business has a brick and mortar business in Rahway), $500 (For all others)

Special Event Food Truck Fees

Health Department: $100/per event (Vehicle Inspection)
Fire Department: $50/per event (Propane Inspection – Fee Waived If Rahway business)
1. You will pay the Propane Inspection fee once yearly, but will be checked for before additional events
City Clerk: $50 (Per Truck, Per Day), with an additional $50 late fee charge if event is within 2 weeks

Peddler's License Fees

Police: $100 for Initial Background Check ($50 for renewal)
Identogo: Price Is Set By Vendor
Health Department: $100 for Vehicle Inspection
Fire Department: $50 for Propane Inspection – Fee Waived If Rahway business
City Clerk: $300 for the license ($250 if on foot peddler)

Payment

The City of Rahway accepts payment by cash, check, or money order. We are unable to process credit or debit cards at this time.

The check or money order should be payable to the "City of Rahway."

8. When Does A Food Truck Permit Expire?: License and inspection approval expires on January 15^th, or the first regular business day thereafter if the 15^th falls on a weekend or holiday.

9. How Do I Apply For A Peddlers License Or A Transient Merchant License?

The license application for a Peddler's License can be found here.

Please note that a Peddler's License requires you to use a commercial vehicle. You CANNOT sell goods from out of your car.

If you are looking to sell from a tent or at a stationary location, then you would need a Transient Merchant/ Itinerant Vendor Licence (PDF).

10. How Should Trash & Recycling Be Handled?: Each vendor must place trash and recycle bins of adequate size within ten feet of the vendor's location. Vendors are required to remove the trash within 30 feet of their location prior to departure, and to properly dispose of trash and recyclable containers and materials. No trash or recyclables shall be disposed of in receptacles owned by the City or nonprofit corporations or associations that place trash or recycling receptacles on the street for use by the public, nor placed alongside the aforementioned receptacles.

11. Where Are Peddlers Allowed?: Permitted on all streets outside of the central business district.

12. For Residents and Non-Profits, What Are The Requirements To Have A Food Truck For An Event?: The vendor is required to apply for a Special Event Food Truck License. Property owners, residents and/or organizations giving permission to or requesting the presence of motorized food vendors should ensure that the food vehicle is parked legally (not on the sidewalk or elsewhere within the street) and not obstructing the flow of vehicle or pedestrian traffic. Service windows must face the sidewalk.

13. What Do I Do If I Don't Have A Food Truck But Am Looking To Sell Food?: If you don't have a food truck and are operating with just a temporary tent or stand, you would only need to obtain a health inspection, and a fire inspection if you are using a propane tank for the event you are selling food. Please be aware that you would only be able to set up a tent or stand for the duration of the event. The City does not permit you to have your tent or stand in perpetuity.