Mobile Food Vendor

Beginning January 1, 2025, all Mobile Food Vendors operating in Kearney will be required to obtain a Mobile Food Vendor Permit with said permit on display or readily available for the public to view. It shall be unlawful for any Mobile Food Vendor to operate a Mobile Food Vending Unit within Kearney City limits without possessing a valid Mobile Food Vendor Permit.

Definitions 

Food: All edible refreshment or nourishment, whether solid, semi-solid, liquid or otherwise.

Mobile Food Vending Unit: Any motorized or non-motorized vehicle, cart, stand, trailer, or other device designed to be portable and not permanently attached or affixed to the ground from which food and/or beverages are served or offered for sale which shall not be used for any purpose other than as a mobile food vending unit and that may or may not be currently licensed through a North American Department of Motor Vehicles.

Mobile Food Vendor: The individual, company, restaurant, organization or entity operating a mobile food vending unit. 

Application

All Mobile Food Vendors pursuant to Article 31 of the Code of the City of Kearney shall file with the City Clerk an application and shall be accompanied by the required documentation as shown on the Mobile Food Vendor Application. Completed applications shall be returned by emailing the city clerk or in person to the City Clerk’s office located on the 2nd floor of City Hall, 18 East 22nd Street during normal hours of operation. 

Mobile Food Vendor Application (fillable) 

Fees

A non-refundable permit fee as set forth in the City of Kearney Comprehensive Fee Schedule shall accompany the Mobile Food Vendor Application and shall be paid annually.

Mobile Food Vendors operating in the Downtown District shall have the choice of paying either a daily or annual fee as set forth in the City of Kearney Comprehensive Fee Schedule. 

    Map of Downtown District

Restaurant Occupation Tax

All Mobile Food Vendors selling or offering for sale food or beverages shall pay the City of Kearney Restaurant and Drinking Place Occupation Tax in accordance with Article 30, Chapter 3 “Business Regulations” of Kearney City Code. No proration of the Kearney Restaurant and Drinking Place Occupation Tax provided for by this Article shall be permitted.

Restaurant and Drinking Place Occupation Tax Registration Form/ Information/ FAQ’s

2025 Permitted Mobile Food Vendors

The following link is a current list of Mobile Food Vendors permitted to operate in the City of Kearney through December 31, 2025, and is kept current.

Current Mobile Food Vendors

Mobile Food Vendor Permits begin January 1 and expire December 31 each year; all applicable permit fees shall not be prorated.