If you offer food for sale on public sidewalks in a commercial zone using a pushcart, you need a business license. A separate license is required for each pushcart.

A license is valid for one calendar year. All licenses expire on December 31 and must be renewed to continue business [SRC 30.055].

Step 1: Read the Salem Revised Code (SRC)

SRC Chapter 30 outlines the requirements for licenses in Salem. You will want to be familiar with the requirements covering street vendors.

Guidelines

• Location: Stay on public sidewalks and maintain a minimum sidewalk clearance of five feet at all times.
• Litter removal: Pick up any litter within 20 feet of the pushcart while open for business.
• Quiet: Refrain from loud or unreasonable noise of any kind that is for the purpose of attracting attention to your business.
• Storage: Do not leave pushcarts and other street vendor mobile units unattended on a sidewalk.
• Sanitary standards: Maintain clean utensils and equipment as prescribed by state and local laws and regulations.

 Step 2: Apply for a License

Licenses cannot be transferred [SRC 30.035].

You can apply in person at the Permit Application Center,  by mail or by emailing your application to baspac@cityofsalem.net. Applications require the following:

• A completed application form
• Payment for the license fee. (The application fee is non-refundable.)
• Insurance policy certificate meeting minimum coverage requirements and naming the City of Salem, its officers, agents and employees as additional insured
• A copy of Marion County Health Certificate
• A copy of Marion County Health License (Food Handlers card)

Step 3: Application Review and Inspection

Each application will be reviewed to decide if the license requirements have been met and to verify the application information. You will be contacted by a City Code Compliance Officer to have your pushcart inspected before a license can be issued.

Approval: You will be notified in writing and the actual license can be picked up from the Permit Application Center.

Denial: You will be notified in writing and given a reason for the denial. You can appeal the decision as outlined in SRC Chapter 20J.

Application Renewals

Renewals must be completed within 30 days of the expiration date on the existing license. A renewed license is effective as of the expiration date of the prior license. If an application to renew an existing license is not turned in before the current license expires, a new license is required.

You must renew your license each year before the current license expires.

You can apply in person at the Permit Application Center,  by mail or by emailing your application to baspac@cityofsalem.net. Applications require the following:

• A completed renewal application form
• Insurance policy certificate meeting minimum coverage requirements and naming the City of Salem, its officers, agents and employees as additional insured
• A copy of Marion County Health Certificate
• A copy of Marion County Health License (Food Handlers card)
• The renewal fee.

You will be contacted by a City Code Compliance Officer to have your pushcart inspected before a license can be renewed.

Approval: You will be notified in writing and the actual license can be picked up from the Permit Application Center.

Denial: You will be notified in writing and given a reason for the denial. You can appeal the decision as outlined in SRC Chapter 20J.

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