Fixed Location Vendor Permits
The City of Takoma Park requires all Fixed Location Vendors to obtain a permit before conducting business in the City, in accordance with Takoma Park City Code Chapter 8.12 – Vendors.
A Fixed Location Vendor is defined as an individual or business using a stand, vehicle, cart or other means and that sells from an approved location on City- owned property with the permission of the City or on privately-owned property with the permission of the property owner for a period of more than 15 minutes.
Fixed Location Vendor Application
Disapproval of Permit Applications
The City may refuse to issue a Vendor Permit upon finding that the applicant has knowingly provided inaccurate information on his or her application, withheld or falsified any information required to obtain a permit, failed to adhere to permitting requirements in the past, or a determination is made that approval of the permit will create a public nuisance as defined by Takoma Park City Code Chapter 6.36.010- Unsafe Buildings, Public Nuisance Abatement. No person or business entity may re-apply for a Vendor Permit within six months of the date of the denial of a permit.
Application Fee
$75.00; Application fee is nonrefundable.
Application fees can be mailed or paid in person at the Finance Department on the 3rd Floor of the Takoma Park Community Center, 7500 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912
Length of Permit
Approved permits are valid for a period of one year.
Display of Permit
Vendor Permit must be displayed at all times in a prominent location on the stand, vehicle, or cart used by the Vendor and must be presented upon request.
Hours of Operation
Vendors may conduct business only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Site Restrictions
Vendors may locate on privately owned commercially zoned property with the written permission of the property owner in accordance with a City approved site plan. A Vendor Permit will not be issued if a determination is made by the City that the proposed vending activity will create a safety hazard, render the parking facilities for the property inadequate, interfere with traffic, or become a public nuisance.
Vendors may reserve a space at one of the two designated vending sites on City owned property at the Takoma Junction Public Parking Lot (adjacent to 201 Ethan Allen Avenue) or in front of the Community Center (7500 Maple Avenue).
Separate trash and recyclable containers must be provided by the Vendor. The containers must be emptied daily and all trash generated by the Vendor or left by customers in the street, sidewalk or other public or private property must be collected and disposed of appropriately off site.
Insurance
Vendors reserving a site on City-owned property must carry liability insurance with minimum coverage of $1 million per incident and provide a Certificate of Insurance from their provider naming the City of Takoma Park Maryland as an additionally insured party on the policy.
Polystyrene Prohibition
The use of Styrofoam or similar polystyrene food service ware and containers is prohibited. More information and alternatives are available on the City website. If a Vendor is found using polystyrene or Styrofoam, their Vendor Permit may be revoked.
