DesMoines - Food Truck Vending Pilot Program

The WSFTA is running a 2-year food truck pilot program with the City of Des Moines, allowing eligible mobile food vendors to serve in multiple locations. Vendors who wish to participate will be required to apply through the Association meeting specific terms and conditions, see below. There may be be some restrictions regarding vendor size and cuisine type per location. Tent or popup style vendors are also welcome to participate.

Customers can find the food truck locations & schedule here.

2024 Site Locations (vendors book here)

  • Location 1. Marina Quarterdeck concert series - “Tastes & Tunes”

    Address: 22307 Dock Ave S

    Service times: Thurs & Sundays - 4pm to 7pm

    Begins May 9th through Sept 29th.

  • Location 2.  “Food Truck Fridays” at Redondo Beach

    Address: 28301 Redondo Beach Dr S

    Service times: Fridays - 4:30pm to 7:30pm

    Begins June 7th through Aug 30th.

  • Location 3. Beach Park summer concert series & other events

    Address: 22030 Cliff Ave S,

    Service times may vary, summer concerts: Wed - 5pm to 8pm

    Begins July 10th through Aug 14th.

  • Location 4. The Field House - various sporting events

    Address: 1000 S 220th St.

    Soccer games are played April 13th through June 8th from 9am - 3pm, vendors can book from 9am-12pm and/or 12-3pm.

Vendors can contact us to participate and send all required docs to: LoriJ@wafoodtrucks.org.

Pilot Program Vendor Terms and Conditions

  • Vendors are not required to be WSFTA members but must send us proof of the general City of Des Moines business license, L & I insignia, King County health permit, proof of insurance, and a fire inspection and permit from a King County regional fire authority dated within the past 12-months. See the document here for a list of participating fire agencies that will be acknowledged by South King Fire.

    • 1. Apply for the $100 city license here: https://www.filelocal-wa.gov/Default_FileLocal.aspx (Pilot program vendors will not need to pay the added $75 Mobile Food Vendor Application fee.) Email the WSFTA proof of your license. You can also apply for your city license by filling out and mailing the application form that you can download here. Be sure to check off that you are a Mobile Food Vendor and state that your Principal Business Activity is: Food Truck Pilot Program.

    • 2. Vendor participants must obtain a Certificate of Insurance of 2mm general aggregate and an Additional Insured Endorsement stating the: City of Des Moines at 21630 11th Avenue S, Suite A Des Moines, WA 98198. Vendors must email their COI into the WSFTA.

    • 3. Email us a copy of your recent (dated within 12-months) fire permit.

  • Vendors must not park within 50-feet of another food establishment, unless approved by the owner of that business.

  • Participating vendors are required to report sales and ticket numbers, no later than 48-hours following the end of service. This sales data is used to help manage and assess the location, determine the best number of food vendors, preferred cuisines, best days/times for service, and allows the WSFTA to advise the next scheduled vendor regarding the number of meals to plan to serve. This information helps reduce food waste and helps maximize vendor success. Vendors who do not report will be removed from the program for the remainder of the year after being given one warning.

  • The Food Truck Pilot Program will only be using City of Des Moines owned and operated sites, therefore, participating vendors will be exempt from the current Mobile Food Vendor application and fee. Do NOT submit a Mobile Food Vendor Application or pay the fee. Participating vendors will still be required to have a City of Des Moines business license and must comply with City of Des Moines Municipal Code where applicable.

  • Prohibitions: The food truck operator shall not utilize tables, chairs, or audio amplification in conjunction with the food truck. With the exception of a portable gas-powered generator, all equipment shall be contained within or on the food truck during service.

  • Vendors must email the WSFTA their food truck/trailer length (some locations may have limited vending space.)

  • Vendors can book first come first serve. See the vending location times and details above.

  • Where applicable, vendors must maintain an onboard copy of an issued right-of-way (ROW) street permit.

  • Locate generators at least 10’ away from the mobile food vending unit, unless permanently fixed to the tow trailer frame.

  • Make sure that there is a clearance of at least 10-ft away from buildings, structures, vehicles, and any combustible materials. Follow all NFPA best safety practices.

  • Grounds for pilot program termination can include, but are not limited to:

  • Failure to abide by all state and local laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances regarding mobile food vending,

  • Acting unprofessionally in a way that reflects poorly on the Pilot Program, or the food truck industry as a whole.

  • Offensive, disrespectful, or rude conduct toward event hosts, government officials, fellow vendors, or any WSFTA staff or volunteers,

  • Being dishonest or untruthful regarding licenses, permits, insurance coverage, sales numbers, etc.


    All vendors must follow the City of Des Moines Food Truck Pilot Program Best Practices:

    Vendors must keep the vending area free of obstructions that impede free use of sidewalks by pedestrians and provide a minimum of a 5-foot wide clear pedestrian path by the food truck and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act for pedestrian access.

    Vendors shall return the vending area to the same condition they found it, and shall remove any garbage or equipment they bring in. Vendors shall dispose of their own garbage, recycling, and any other food waste products as required by the Health Department.

    In an effort to be responsible stewards of the environment, vendors will not use single-use plastics and will provide recyclable, compostable, and/or biodegradable service-ware.

    Food trucks must be parked at least 15-feet from any fire hydrant, and 5-feet away from any driveway, sidewalk, utility box or vault, handicapped ramp, building entrance or exit or emergency call box. Food Trucks shall be parked a maximum of 12 inches from the curb. These minimum and maximum distance requirements are all measured in a straight line from the closest point of the proposed food truck location to the closest point from the buffered object.

    We strongly advise participating vendors to act as “Good Neighbors” by promoting local businesses that are near the vending location when posting upcoming meal services on social media, ideally including links to nearby retailers or other businesses.

    Leave No Trace Behind: Vendors are responsible for: ensuring drip-pans are placed under truck engines & generators, do not leave any markings/drippings/grease in the vending area, and always dispose of wastewater at an approved location in accordance with the County Health Plan Review.

    Violation of these Terms & Conditions: If the food truck operator is found to be in violation of the Pilot Program terms, a warning will be issued. A second offense in any 6-month period will result in revocation from the pilot program.

photo image of flyer for Des Moines food truck pilot program