Temporary Uses
The City of Federal Heights regulates temporary uses such as food trucks, special events that impact public streets, community garage sales, roadside vendors, grand openings, and Christmas tree lots etc. with a Temporary Use Permit. A link to the temporary use permit along with guidance on what to fill out and special considerations can be found below.
Temporary Use Permit Please submit temporary use permit applications no less than 21 days prior to the date of your event or the first date you would like to begin operations.
Sales Generally: sales of any item in the city require appropriate sales tax documentation. For most temporary uses, this requires a Peddler's License to be obtained from the Finance Department. For questions about the proper license or sales tax documentation please contact the City by phone 303-412-3540 or Email.
Fireworks Sales: the City of Federal Heights does not permit the possession or sale of fireworks anywhere in the City.
Food Sales Generally: food sales in the City require a permit from Adams County Health Department prior to opening. Generally food sales require commercial kitchens if they are located inside buildings or mobile food vendors licenses if they are mobile.
Food Trucks (Mobile Food Vendors): mobile food vendors require a Mobile Food Vendor's License to be supplied with the application. Mobile food vendors can operate up to three months at a time each quarter of a calendar year in any one location. Every quarter mobile food vendors are required to move to a new location that they have not occupied previously within the last year.
- An application form and site map describing everything about the operation of the food truck, its location on the site, any exterior power sources, signage, lighting, noise or sound-emitting devices, tables, seating, awnings or other temporary structures on a developed property with an active business that has agreed to provide bathroom access to food truck employees.
- The Signature of the Property (Land) Owner or Legal Registered Agent.
- A copy of the food truck’s current, annual Health Department Mobile Food Truck License issued by Adams County, Jefferson County, Arapahoe County or Douglas County. (The City of Federal Heights does not accept Mobile Food Truck Licenses from the City and County of Denver.)
- The City of Federal Heights Temporary Use Application Payment: $100.00.
- Duration: The maximum duration of a temporary use permit for a food truck in any one location in Federal Heights is 3 months.
- Quarterly Permitting: Food trucks that desire to operate in the City of Federal Heights for an entire year need to adopt a quarterly schedule to provide the maximum opportunity for all trucks to select appropriate operational sites. The 4 quarter periods are Q1 (January-March), Q2 (April-June), Q3 (July-September) and Q4 (October-December).
- Location Rotation: Food Trucks cannot reapply for the same address within the previous 12-month period. This means they are required to apply for a new location when submitting a new permit application. For example, if a food truck was in a specific location in Q3 of last year, that spot will not be available again until Q3 of this year.
- Site Details: If you are planning to use any exterior power sources (including propane tanks, generators, and extension cords), signage, lighting, sound or noise emitting devices, tables or seating, it must be described in the application and shown on the application and site plan. If any item listed above is deployed at the site and not approved on the permit, then the food truck business could be subject to a notice of violation if they are added after the permit was issued.
- Maximum Number per Site: Only ONE food truck is allowed at a commercial location. If multiple applications are received for the same location, the City will contact the property manager to determine which food truck will receive the permit.
- Permit Required: If a food truck is parked or operating at a commercial property without a permit or with an expired permit, they will receive a notice of violation.