A Central Business District (CBD) Concession License is required for street vending in the Central Business District of Dallas.  This license allows the holder to sell or distribute goods or services at a designated location in the downtown area.  With Department approval a CBD Concession License may be issued to operate either on public or private property.   Products and services provided by the licensee must be approved by the Director. 

Fees​

• CBD Concession License Public Property $600 (annually)
• CBD Concession License Private Property $150 (annually)

Application Process

All applicants for a CBD Concession License must apply in person at the Consumer Health Division located at 7901 Goforth Road, Dallas, Texas 75238.  Applications are accepted Monday-Friday between the hours of 8:00 am and 12:00 pm or 1:00 pm and 4:30 pm. 

The following documents are required when applying for a CBD Concession License:

• Completed CBD License Application​
• Detailed map or photo identifying the proposed site of operation
• Valid State Photo Identification
• Valid Texas Tax ID Certificate
• Mobile Food Unit Permit (if applicable)
• Notarized written permission letter from private property owner (if applicable)

Vending Areas

CBD Vending Boundaries

1. Central Business District (CBD) - the area of downtown Dallas bounded by Woodall Rogers Freeway on the north, Central Expressway (elevated bypass) on the east, R.L. Thornton Freeway on the south, and Stemmons Freeway on the west.  The CBD includes:

                - the Arts District

                - the CBD Core District

                - the West End District

2. West End District - the area of downtown Dallas bounded by Woodall Rogers Freeway on the north; Lamar Street on the east; the MKT railroad tracks on the west; and southern boundary consisting of and extending along Commerce Street from Lamar Street west to Austin Street, then along Austin Street north to Main Street, then along Main Street west to the MKT railroad tracks.

3. Arts District - the area of downtown Dallas bounded by Woodall Rogers Freeway on the north, Central Expressway (elevated bypass) on the east, Ross Avenue on the south, and St. Paul Street on the west.

4. CBD Core Area – means the area of downtown Dallas contained within the boundaries of the central business district, but that does not include the Arts District and the West End District.

​CBD Vending Location Guidelines

1. The number and location of vending sites will be determined by the director based upon the availability of space, the congestion that may result, and other factors related to the public health, safety, and welfare.  Each site must have an area of not less than 40 square feet.
2. Vending sites on public sidewalks must have adequate space to accommodate the vending area and pedestrian movement.  Typically the sidewalk will need to be at least 10 feet in width and not obstructed by signs, trees, landscapes, or other objects.
3. The vending location can not be within 25 feet of a fire hydrant, train stop or bus stop.
4. No more than two vending sites can be assigned for each side of a block face.
5. The vending location can not be within 100 feet of an existing fixed business that sells, distributes, or offers for sale goods or services similar to those to be sold, distributed, or offered for sale by the applicant.
6. The vending location can not be within 50 feet of an outdoor patio of an existing fixed food establishment located on the same side of the same block face.
7. Vending sites can not be within 1,000 feet of the Dallas Farmers Market if the vendor will sell potted plants, fruits, or vegetables.
8. A CBD concession license holder may not receive an additional CBD concession license within 50 feet of the original site.
9. The same vendor may not hold more than a total of 12 CBD concession licenses for vending on public property. Of those 12 licenses, the same vendor may not hold more than one in the West End district, one in the arts district, and 10 in the CBD core district.

CBD Operational Guidelines

A person who, either personally or through an agent, sells, distributes, or offers for sale goods or services on public or private property in the central business district shall:

(1)  possess a CBD Concession License

(2)  not enter a public roadway to solicit or conduct a sale;

(3)  not sell, distribute, or offer for sale goods or services to a person on a public roadway;

(4)  if vending on public property, stay within five feet of the vendor's vehicle except for periodic breaks not to exceed 10 minutes and for emergencies;

(5)  take reasonable steps to keep the area around which the business is being conducted free from litter and waste;

(6)  if vending on public property, operate the business only during the following times, unless special operating hours are approved by the director:

         (A)   6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday;

         (B)   8:00 a.m. to midnight, Friday and Saturday; and

         (C)   10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Sunday; 

(7)  sell, distribute, or offer for sale only those goods or services that the director has approved;

(8)  remove any equipment, sales aids, or vehicle from public property at the close of operation each day;

(9)  not smoke while conducting vending activities at the vending location site;

(10)  comply with the noise regulations set forth in Chapter 30 of this code;

(11)  not do business except on a vending location site designated by the director;

(12)  allow an inspection of the business operation as authorized in this article;

(13)  comply with all rules and regulations promulgated by the director under this article;

(14)  post the applicable license or copy of the license in a conspicuous place on the vehicle;

(15)  use only a non-motorized vehicle to sell, distribute, or offer for sale goods or services and the vehicle must:

      (A)   have operable wheels;

      (B)   not exceed six feet in length (including any handles measuring six inches or more in length and any permanently attached trailer hitches), three feet in width (exclusive of wheels), or four feet in height (exclusive of wheels);

      (C)   not be attached to any tree, utility pole, sign pole, streetscape, or public property; and

      (D)   not be stored, parked, or left overnight on any street, sidewalk, public parking space, or other public property;

(16)  have only one small stool or chair at the vending location site for the vendor.  No seating may be provided for customers;

(17)  properly secured any umbrella on the vehicle and must be removed during high winds;

(18)  not use an electrical power cord if vending on public property;

(19)  not place any sign or other advertising device on public property other than those signs affixed to the vehicle or equipment and not extending beyond the basic dimension of the vehicle or equipment;

(20)  prominently display a sign that contains city of Dallas contact information to which customers may report service or health concerns or complaints.

NOTE:  The vendor is liable for all damages and repairs to the streetscape, trees and vegetation, sidewalks, streets or othe​r public amenities that directly relate to the use of the permitted location.  The vendor may be required to remove private materials or accessories temporarily to allow street, sidewalk, or utility access for maintenance operations or during approved special events.

Violations

Once a City official notifies the license holder of a violation, the license holder is responsible for remedying the violation within the time period specified in the notice. Beyond that, fines or subsequent suspension and/or revocation of the license may apply per City Ordinance.

See the City Of Dallas Street Vending Ordinance, Chapter 50, Article XII for complete information.

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