Outdoor Vendor License

The sites listed below have been pre-approved for stationary vending; however, you must still apply and be approved to vend there.

If you plan to vend at one of these sites, please complete and submit a signed Vendor's Affidavit for Business Use with your application materials. No additional documentation is needed from the property owner for these locations.

If you plan to vend on private property that is not on the list of pre-approved stationary vending sites, please complete and submit the Authorization to Utilize Property form with your application materials.

The sites listed below are the approved locations for vending in Downtown Fort Collins; however, you must still apply and receive approval to vend there.

No vending is allowed in Downtown Fort Collins outside of these approved locations.

View map of non-neighborhood zones where vending may be allowed.

• $60 for six months
• $120 for 12 months

No - work with the event organizer to participate. Event organizers usually pull permits that cover everyone involved. You DO need a valid sales tax license because it serves as your business license.

Yes - food trucks are common outdoor vendors, but the license requirement applies to anyone selling anything from an outdoor location.

No. Outdoor vendors can only operate in specific areas. You need several items with your application before you can start. The municipal code governing Outdoor Vendor licensing is in Chapter 15, Article XIV.

The basics:

• Mobile food truck vendors can only vend in non-neighborhood zone districts (private property) or streets in non-neighborhood zone districts where parallel parking is allowed.
• Pushcart vendors can only vend in non-neighborhood zone districts (private property) or streets in non-neighborhood zone districts where parallel parking is allowed.
• Neighborhood mobile food vendors (ice cream trucks, popsicle carts) - call to discuss details.
• Outdoor vendors of miscellaneous goods and services can operate only in non-residential zone districts (private property).
• Outdoor vendors of transportation services - call to discuss your ideas.

All vendors cannot vend within 200 feet of K-12 school property.

Review the Approved Outdoor Vending Locations to see if your location is allowed.

No - please note these restrictions:

• Vendors cannot operate from 3-7 a.m.
• Vendors cannot operate from any location for more than three total days per week.
• Vendors can only operate more than three days per week at a specific location with minor amendment approval for stationary vending. The Zoning Department handles minor amendments.

These areas outside the City's licensing jurisdiction and have their own governing bodies. Contact them directly if you want to vend in their areas.

• Poudre School District
• Colorado State University property
• Public parks and trails
• Downtown Zone District
• Old Town Square

If you have an active outdoor vendor license but want to add another location:

• For approved stationary vending sites: Sign the Vendor's Affidavit for Business Use of a Stationary Vending Site(PDF, 357KB)  form and return it by email or in person.
• For different private property not approved as a stationary vending site: Have the property owner complete an Authorization to Utilize Property(PDF, 365KB) form and return it by email or in person.

Adding locations to your existing license is free but will not extend beyond your original expiration date.

These documents are provided for printing purposes. For assistance viewing or reading these documents, please contact the City's ADA Coordinator via email adacoordinator@fortcollins.gov or phone: 970-416-4254.

Stationary vending approved sites went through the minor amendment process through the Zoning Department. This allows vendors on site up to seven days per week.

Without this minor amendment, a site can only have vendors up to three days per week.

You must still get permission from the owner and complete the Vendor's Affidavit for Business Use of a Stationary Vending Site form in your application packet.

Yes - Fort Collins does not allow "pop-up" vending. You must have at least one location secured when submitting your application. You can add locations anytime, but you need something to get started.

If you sell food, you must pass a health inspection and get a health permit before applying for your Outdoor Vendor License. Contact the Larimer County Health Department for information and to schedule your inspection. Allow plenty of time for your inspection. We also accept health permits from other Colorado counties.

You must also schedule an inspection with Poudre Fire Authority and submit a successful inspection tag or letter of exemption. We also accept successful inspection tags or letters of exemption from other Colorado counties.