SDOT Street Use Vending Permits

Vending in the City of Seattle is regulated by permit and ordinance. A permit for Street Vending may be obtained through the Street Use office. The City Council has passed an ordinance (ord. 120822) allowing vending around Safeco Field and Seahawks Stadium during sporting events.

Vending from carts is also allowed in the right-of-way. The cart must be in one assigned location. Mobile cart vending is not allowed. For more information about this see Permit Counter publication number 630 - Word format.

For more information about vending please contact:
Seattle Department of Transportation
Street Use Permit Counter
700 5th Avenue
Suite 3700
Seattle, WA 98104-5043
206-684-5283

Requirements for obtaining a permit:

• $1 Million Certificate of Insurance listing the City of Seattle as an additional insured
• Written permission from adjacent property owner/tenant to vend in front of their property
• Description and sketch of area, list of products offered for sale.
• Permits:
  • $121.50/month (April - September)
  • $18/month (October - March)
  • Regular season baseball and football permits are only available monthly/full season. No daily permits.

Vending permit violations carry a first time fine of $150. Subsequent violations are $500 for each occurrence.

For vending complaints during business hours, call 206-684-5267. For complaints about specific vending activities outside normal business hours, call the SDOT 24-hour dispatch office at 206-386-1212. If an inspector is on duty, the dispatch office will ask the inspector to report to the area. If no inspector is on duty, the dispatch office will forward your complaint to the Street Use office to investigate at a later time.