As Vermont rolls into warmer weather, food trucks across the state are coming out of hibernation — except, it seems, in Rutland City. While residents in surrounding towns can grab quick bites from local mobile vendors, Rutland’s streets and parks remain notably quiet. According to Jason Evans, owner of The Hangry Hogg, a popular local food truck, there’s a simple reason.
“It costs $500 just for the license to operate in Rutland,” Evans explained at the February 18th meeting of the Rutland Board of Aldermen. “That’s before you even start cooking. It’s just not feasible for a lot of small operators.”
At that price point, vendors would need to sell dozens of meals just to cover the city’s license fee — and only then begin earning money to pay property taxes, other everyday business expenses, and maybe take home a little cash.
Evans isn’t the only one raising the issue. In fact, the concern was front and center at the February 18, 2025, meeting, where city officials openly recognized the problem. Alderwoman Tadio, speaking for the Community and Economic Development Committee, reported a unanimous recommendation:
“The idea was to remove the peddler’s fee, establish a food truck permit fee, and clarify that food trucks would still be responsible for the rooms and meals tax,” Tadio said.
Her colleague, Alderwoman Davis, was even more blunt in her assessment:
“We really need to get away from treating them like peddlers. They’re not peddlers.”
The full Board agreed and voted to direct Mayor Mike Doenges to work with city departments to create a new food truck permit structure and scrap the outdated $500 peddler’s fee — originally designed for transient merchants and door-to-door salespeople, not modern food vendors.
But three months later, nothing has changed.
In response to an inquiry from FYIVT, Mayor Doenges acknowledged the delay, citing the need to draft new language and a temporary disruption due to a committee chair resignation. Still, he offered hope that the process will conclude soon.
“My desire would be to see this completed and in place before the end of June, or sooner if possible,” Doenges wrote.
For Evans and other vendors, though, that timeline doesn’t help them now — as the prime vending season is already underway.
“Summer’s when we make our living,” Evans said. “We’re already losing time.”
Rutland’s Rates Remain Out of Step
A review of other municipalities makes it clear why Rutland’s food truck owners are frustrated. Neighboring communities charge a fraction of the cost — or nothing at all.
- Rutland Town charges $100 annually.
- Castleton and several others charge nothing.
- Pittsford and West Rutland offer modest flat rates or no special fees for food vendors.
Meanwhile, Rutland City still charges $500 annually or $350 for a six-month permit, both of which go directly into the city’s general fund as revenue, as confirmed by City Clerk Tracy Kapusta. It’s simply revenue.
For comparison, Rutland’s brick-and-mortar restaurants pay far less. According to the city’s business registration portal, a new restaurant license costs $65, plus $30 for a background check (ironically) — for a total of $95 in year one. After that, annual renewal fees drop to just $40 per year.
The Economics of Selling Food in Rutland
While the number “$500” may seem abstract, the economics for food vendors makes it very real. Consider this: if a vendor is selling $10 meals, it would take at least 100 sales to clear the $500 fee, after accounting for the cost of ingredients and basic operating expenses. Selling higher-end $20 meals still requires about 50 sales just to break even on the city’s charge — before covering rent, gas, labor, or turning any real profit.
“For a small truck, you could lose the better part of a weekend just working to pay City Hall,” Evans said.
Unlike farmers market vendors, who operate under the market’s group license and pay only the required rooms and meals tax, independent food trucks face the city’s full peddler’s permit fee on their own — a steep cost to access Rutland’s limited vending locations and one reason prices on the menu may seem high.
Summer Fun Stalled?
The situation mirrors another summer question mark in Rutland: the city’s Recreation Department, which remains in flux after recent staffing turnover. That uncertainty has left many residents wondering what warm-weather offerings will look like this year.
Between unresolved questions about food truck access and ongoing issues with the city’s recreation programs, Rutland City’s summer is shaping up to be less vibrant than usual. Vendors, families, and visitors alike may find themselves with fewer options as the season gets underway.
The Board of Aldermen acted in February. Vendors are ready. Yet, as of May, City Hall still says, “Not yet.”
Dave Soulia | FYIVT
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