Code Compliance Services
Restaurant and Bar Inspection Division  |  Street Vending  |  Central Business District Vending Areas

CBD Vending Boundaries

1. Central Business District (CBD) - the area of downtown Dallas within 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 (permits are location specific).
2. Warehouse/ West End (roaming, 9 site locations) - the area of downtown Dallas within 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. A vendors badge is required (roaming area).
3. Arts District (roaming, 10 site locations) - the area of downtown Dallas within Woodall Rogers Freeway on the north, Routh Street on the east, Ross Avenue on the south, and St. Paul Street on the west.  A vendors badge is required (roaming area).
4. Central Business District (CBD) Core Area - the area of the city within and including the following described boundaries:   Point of beginning at the northeast corner of the intersection of Pacific Street and Lamar Street; then along Pacific Avenue (north sidewalk) to Akard Street; then along Akard Street (west sidewalk) to Federal Street; then along Federal Street (north sidewalk) to Pearl Street; then along Pearl Street (west sidewalk) to Pearl Expressway; then along Pearl Expressway (west sidewalk) to Commerce Street: then along Commerce Street (south sidewalk) to Lamar Street; then along Lamar Street (east sidewalk) to the point of beginning (non-roaming area).

NOTE: There are only 9 sites in the Warehouse and 10 sites in the Arts Districts

Central Business District Area Boundaries Map (Adobe PDF)
Arts District Boundaries Map (Adobe PDF)
West End District Boundaries Map (Adobe PDF)
Pushcart Design Dimensions/ Area Dimensions (Adobe PDF)
Pushcart Setback Requirements (Adobe PDF)

A person that holds a CBD Concession License may receive a maximum of five (5) CBD Location Permits in addition to permits issued for Arts and Warehouse Districts. The director may determine the number of 'sites'.

Other factors may be taken into consideration by the Director when evaluating a vending site location for approval. These factors include: the type of merchandise sold; the uniqueness and variety of the product(s) offered; and the effect on nearby businesses.

Applicants must provide a list of products or services being provided.

Applicants for a CBD Concession License must submit a scaled sketch plan or photographs showing proposed cart location, dimensions, and details of surrounding streetscape elements, covering 6 feet on all sides of the edge of the proposed cart operating area including property lines, sidewalk, curb lines, lighting, trees indicating tree size, tree/ storm grates or gutters, planters, lamp post, parking meters, benches, utility boxes, newsstands,  handicap ramp, building entrance/exits, street signs, bus/rail stops, and fire hydrants.

NOTE:  All proposed vending locations that are selected will be assessed for approval by the Restaurant and Bar Inspection Division.

All applicants for a Central Business District Concession License and Central Business District Location Permit must apply in person at the Restaurant and Bar Inspection Division located at 7901 Goforth Road, Dallas, Texas 75238. Applications are accepted Monday – Friday between the hours of 8:00 am and 12:30 pm or 1:00 pm and 4:30 pm.

Zoning Guidelines

• Zoning Guidelines for Street Vendors - A basic Street Vending License (Central Business District Concession License) entitles a vendor to sell handcrafted items or food on public property or private property in the Central Business District. Additional permits are required for food vendors.
• Private Property Zoned for Commercial Use - If a vendor desires to sell on private property, that private property must be zoned for commercial use
• Private Property Zoned for Residential Use - It is never legal for a street vendor to sell merchandise or food on private property zoned for residential use, even if the property owner has given permission. It is not legal to conduct any kind of sales or fundraisers from the front yard, driveway, porch, etc., of a residence.

Vending in a Public Park or The Farmer Market

To sell in a park or the Farmer Market, a vendor must have written permission from the Parks and Recreation Department or the Municipal Produce Market (Farmers Market).  Vendors within the CBD are required to obtain a Central Business District (CBD) Concession License from the Restaurant and Bar Inspection Division.