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

You can contact: 

1. Steve Lewis by email or call the Recreation Department at 732-669-3600
2. Elton Armady by email or call the Economic Development/ Special Improvement District Department at 732-827-2193.

2. How May I Apply For A Annual Or Special Event Food Truck License?

For Annual Food Truck Licenses

Please fill out this form and drop it off at the Police Department.

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 fill out this online form.

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?

• 5 food trucks associated with brick and mortar businesses within the City of Rahway; and
• 5 that are NOT associated with any brick and mortar business within the City of Rahway.

Please note: The limits do not apply to events. Only for food trucks that plan to operate throughout the year in the City of Rahway.

5. Where Can Food Trucks Park?

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. What Hours Can Food Trucks Operate?

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.

7. Are Food Trucks Which Pay For A 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.

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

Annual Food Truck Fees

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

Special Event Food Truck Fees

1. Health Department: $100/per event (Vehicle Inspection)
2. 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
3. City Clerk: $50 (Per Truck, Per Day), with an additional $50 late fee charge if event is within 2 weeks

Peddler's License Fees

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

9. 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.

10. 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).

11. 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.

12. Where Are Peddlers Allowed?

Permitted on all streets outside of the central business district.

13. 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, and the host of the event needs to be aware food vehicles may be located in the parking space within the right-of-way in front of the requestor’s property. In no event shall the food vehicle be permitted on the sidewalk or elsewhere within the street. Service windows shall face the sidewalk.

Property owners, residents and/or organizations giving permission to or requesting the presence of motorized food vendors shall assure that the food vehicle is parked legally and not obstructing the flow of vehicle or pedestrian traffic.

14. How Do I Pay For My License?

Currently, the City of Rahway takes payment by cash, check, or money order. We're currently unable to process credit or debit cards at this time.

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

15. Phone Numbers & E-Mails

Placed in order of exchange, i.e. you submit your application to the Police department, get your vehicle inspected by the Health department, get your propane tank inspected by the Fire department, and then the Clerk's office calls you when the license is ready.

1. Police: 732-827-2200 | Records@cityofrahway.com
2. Health: 732-827-2018 | Health@cityofrahway.com
3. Fire: 732-827-2155 | FirePrevention@cityofrahway.comn
4. City Clerk: 732-827-2100 | Cityclerkdepartment@cityofrahway.com

16. What Do I Do If I Don't Have A Food Truck?

If you don't have a food truck and are operating with just a tent or stand, you would only need to obtain a health inspection, and a fire inspection if you are using a propane tank. Please be aware that you would only be able to set up a tent or stand temporarily for the duration of the event. The City does not permit you to have your tent or stand in perpetuity.