Food Truck Spots in Des Moines, IA
Find 1,496+ places to park and sell in Des Moines, IA: breweries, events and lots that host food trucks. See who's looking and book more stops with My Food Truck.
1,496 researched places around Des Moines that could host your truck.
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Permits and local spots in Des Moines
Permits and inspections
- Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing Issues the state Mobile Food Unit license and commissary food establishment license that the city asks for with its application (state phone 515-281-6538 per the city packet).
- City of Des Moines Clerk: Transient Merchant or Mobile Vendor license Annual license is $570 plus a $100 first-time fire inspection and $200 bond; trucks sell only on premise-permit properties, or at meters in four downtown mobile vendor zones with a Mobile Vendor license and meter hood.
- Des Moines Fire Department Does the mobile vendor fire inspection; walk-ins were listed for the second and fourth Wednesday of the month, 8-11 a.m.
Events that take vendors in Des Moines
- Downtown Farmers' Market 2026 ran Saturdays May 2 to Oct 31 in the Historic Court District; ready-to-eat vendors were included and applications closed in February.
- World Food & Music Festival Food trucks could apply for the Aug 28-30, 2026 edition.
- Out to Lunch Wednesdays May 13 to June 24, 2026, downtown, with rotating food trucks.
Areas to know in Des Moines
- Four downtown mobile vendor zones Metered street spots for licensed mobile vendors; maps come from the City Clerk.
- Historic Court District Home of the Saturday downtown farmers market.