St. Louis Board Bill 152 proposes mobile food courts and park vending to expand food trucks

What city leaders are weighing

St. Louis officials are considering changes to the city’s rules for mobile food vendors that could create new, designated places for food trucks to operate—an effort framed as a way to simplify operations while setting clearer expectations for where and when vending is allowed.

The proposal, Board Bill 152, was introduced Feb. 13, 2026. It would amend sections of Chapter 8 of the St. Louis Revised Code governing vending, with changes that include operating-hour adjustments, revisions to distance requirements near other vendors and comparable brick-and-mortar businesses, and new city-managed structures for scheduling and oversight.

A downtown “mobile food court” pilot on Market Street

A central feature is the establishment of a designated “Mobile Food Court” within the geographic area bounded by 1200 to 1320 Market Street. Under the bill, mobile food vendors operating within the boundaries of that mobile food court would be able to operate subject to the ordinance and any additional regulations established by the city.

The bill creates a designated “Mobile Food Court” area along 1200 to 1320 Market Street.

The Market Street concept would formalize a concentrated downtown vending area, potentially reducing the uncertainty vendors often face when trying to find legally compliant curbside locations with sufficient foot traffic.

Friday vending in city parks, with reservations

The bill also authorizes mobile food vendors to operate on Fridays in city parks, but it does not open all parks automatically. Instead, it assigns the Parks Department responsibility for determining which parks allow vending, what the operating times would be, and how the information will be posted publicly.

To manage demand and reduce conflicts, the bill calls for a reservation portal. Vendors would be limited to one time slot each Friday unless open slots remain within 48 hours, and registration would open seven days ahead of each Friday. Eligibility would require that a vendor be registered and licensed with the city and be in good standing.

Distance rules, hours, and enforcement structure

Beyond creating new vending venues, Board Bill 152 would revise the general rules mobile vendors must follow. The bill sets permitted vending hours from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. It also maintains restrictions aimed at limiting conflicts, including a requirement that vendors not operate within 100 feet of another licensed vendor or a business selling comparable goods, while allowing operations within that radius with written consent under specified conditions.

The proposal places added administrative responsibilities on the Streets Department, including an annually updated map of vending zones and a city-run portal for comments or complaints, coupled with a revocation system.

How this fits into current permitting

Separately from any new rules under Board Bill 152, the city already requires permitting for food trucks operating on public streets. The Street Department’s mobile food vendor permit fee is listed as $500 annually or $125 quarterly, alongside other compliance steps that can include health and fire-safety requirements depending on the operation.

• Board Bill 152 was introduced Feb. 13, 2026 and assigned to a Board of Aldermen committee.

• It proposes a Market Street mobile food court zone and Friday park vending with a reservation system.

• It would also adjust hours, distance rules, and create city tools for mapping and complaints.