Mobile food vehicles
How to apply for a permit to operate a food truck in Yarra.
If you are planning to operate a mobile food vehicle on Council land in Yarra, a permit is required.
The type of permit and the specific requirements you need to follow depend on what, where, and how often you plan to operate.
Please select the category that applies to your business:
| Permit Type | When is it required? |
| Regular Trading Permit | For operating a mobile food vehicle daily, weekly, or annually from Council land at a specific, designated location. |
| Private Function | For operating a mobile food vehicle on Council land to cater for a private function, especially if there is no room on private land to park the vehicle. |
| Temporary Event Permit | For operating a mobile food vehicle at a prescribed public event or festival in Yarra. |
This permit is required for food trucks operating daily, weekly, or annually from a specific location on Council land.
Operating Guidelines
You must comply with these guidelines at all times when trading under a Regular Trading Permit:
- Proximity to Businesses: Your mobile food truck cannot operate within 100 linear metres of an established, open food business.
- Exception: This restriction is lifted if your truck's operating hours are outside those of the nearby food businesses.
- Site Location: The nominated trading site must not be located near residential areas, as zoned in the Yarra Planning Scheme.
- Food Safety & Registration: All preparation, handling, and serving of food and drinks must comply with the Food Act 1984 and our Public Health Unit requirements. You will require a FoodTrader registration and submit a Statement of Trade
- Litter Control: You are responsible for clearing all litter from around the mobile food truck site before leaving the location.
How to Apply
Step 1: Read our mobile food vehicle guidelines [ PDF, 226.73 KB] before you submit an application, you will need to comply with these guidelines
Step 2: Submit an online application using the button below.
Step 3: Council will assess your application and work with you if there is any further information required.
Step 4: Pay the fee, receive your permit and commence trading.
Fees:
The fees for an annual permit are $2700.
We do offer trial periods at a pro-rata cost of the full fee which is recommended. This lets the business operator test if the location will be viable before committing to a full annual permit. Just let us know if your application if you are seeking a trial period.
This temporary permit is required if you are using Council land (such as a park or roadside) to cater for a private function (like a wedding or party) where there is no space on private land to park your vehicle.
Operating Guidelines
You must comply with the following conditions:
- Site Location: We will only approve locations where the vehicle is able to be parked legally and the food can be served onto the footpath and not the road.
- Private Catering Only: You are only able to cater to the private function and not serve the general public like a regular permit
- Food Safety & Registration: All preparation, handling, and serving of food and drinks must comply with the Food Act 1984 and our Public Health Unit requirements. You will require a FoodTrader registration and submit a Statement of Trade
- Litter Control: You are responsible for clearing all litter from around the mobile food truck site before leaving the location.
How to Apply
Step 1: Submit an online application using the button below.
Step 2: Council will assess your application and work with you if there is any further information required.
Step 3: Pay the fee, receive your permit and commence trading.
Fees:
The fees for each permit and location are $124.
This permit is required if you want to operate a mobile food truck in one of our parks, roads, or reserves during a specific, organised event or festival.
There must be a valid Event Permit in place before you apply.
For more information on the full event permit process, please go to our Events in Public Spaces page.
You will still require a FoodTrader registration and submit a Statement of Trade.
Fees:
There are additional fees as part of the Event permit when operating a mobile food vehicle depending on how many there are within the event.
| Fee Type | Standard | Not for Profit |
| Mobile food vehicle for prescribed event (maximum of 5 vans) | $398 | Free |
| Mobile food vehicle for prescribed event (each additional van over 5) | $398 | Free |
This permit is required for food trucks operating daily, weekly, or annually from a specific location on Council land.
Operating Guidelines
You must comply with these guidelines at all times when trading under a Regular Trading Permit:
- Proximity to Businesses: Your mobile food truck cannot operate within 100 linear metres of an established, open food business.
- Exception: This restriction is lifted if your truck's operating hours are outside those of the nearby food businesses.
- Site Location: The nominated trading site must not be located near residential areas, as zoned in the Yarra Planning Scheme.
- Food Safety & Registration: All preparation, handling, and serving of food and drinks must comply with the Food Act 1984 and our Public Health Unit requirements. You will require a FoodTrader registration and submit a Statement of Trade
- Litter Control: You are responsible for clearing all litter from around the mobile food truck site before leaving the location.
How to Apply
Step 1: Read our mobile food vehicle guidelines [ PDF, 226.73 KB] before you submit an application, you will need to comply with these guidelines
Step 2: Submit an online application using the button below.
Step 3: Council will assess your application and work with you if there is any further information required.
Step 4: Pay the fee, receive your permit and commence trading.
Fees:
The fees for an annual permit are $2700.
We do offer trial periods at a pro-rata cost of the full fee which is recommended. This lets the business operator test if the location will be viable before committing to a full annual permit. Just let us know if your application if you are seeking a trial period.
This temporary permit is required if you are using Council land (such as a park or roadside) to cater for a private function (like a wedding or party) where there is no space on private land to park your vehicle.
Operating Guidelines
You must comply with the following conditions:
- Site Location: We will only approve locations where the vehicle is able to be parked legally and the food can be served onto the footpath and not the road.
- Private Catering Only: You are only able to cater to the private function and not serve the general public like a regular permit
- Food Safety & Registration: All preparation, handling, and serving of food and drinks must comply with the Food Act 1984 and our Public Health Unit requirements. You will require a FoodTrader registration and submit a Statement of Trade
- Litter Control: You are responsible for clearing all litter from around the mobile food truck site before leaving the location.
How to Apply
Step 1: Submit an online application using the button below.
Step 2: Council will assess your application and work with you if there is any further information required.
Step 3: Pay the fee, receive your permit and commence trading.
Fees:
The fees for each permit and location are $124.
This permit is required if you want to operate a mobile food truck in one of our parks, roads, or reserves during a specific, organised event or festival.
There must be a valid Event Permit in place before you apply.
For more information on the full event permit process, please go to our Events in Public Spaces page.
You will still require a FoodTrader registration and submit a Statement of Trade.
Fees:
There are additional fees as part of the Event permit when operating a mobile food vehicle depending on how many there are within the event.
| Fee Type | Standard | Not for Profit |
| Mobile food vehicle for prescribed event (maximum of 5 vans) | $398 | Free |
| Mobile food vehicle for prescribed event (each additional van over 5) | $398 | Free |
Frequently asked questions
Unfortunately no, Yarra does not have any set mobile food vehicle locations. Locations are assessed in accordance with the guidelines to ensure they comply.
We will work with you to try and find a suitable location within Yarra for you to operate.
To ensure a smooth assessment process, please have the following ready when you apply:
- Applicant & Business Details: Full business name, ABN, and contact information for the applicant.
- Proof of Registration: Your Food Trader registration details (or equivalent Food Act registration).
- Insurance: Details of your current Public Liability Insurance policy.
- Activity Details:
- The purpose of the activity (e.g., regular trading, private catering, festival).
- The name of the event, if applicable.
- Location & Schedule:
- The proposed site location (address or specific public land area).
- The proposed start date/time and end date/time.
More information
If you need any information or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us online by submitting a request or by calling our Compliance Administration Team on 9205 5555.