Mayor Marty Small, Sr. announced today that the City of Atlantic City will be accepting applications for food trucks to operate at two designated locations: Gardner’s Basin and O’Donnell Memorial Park. Beginning November 1, 2025, up to eight registered and approved food trucks will be permitted to operate at each site.
City Council unanimously approved this ordinance over the summer. Since then, the City of Atlantic City’s Office of Economic Development and Zoning Office within the Department of Planning & Development have collaborated on preparations with the city’s Public Works Department on signage installation and designated striping at both locations, while working with the city’s Licensing & Inspection Department on the applications.
At O’Donnell Memorial Park, food trucks will operate along Captain John O’Donnell Parkway. At Gardner’s Basin, trucks will be stationed on city-owned property along the roadway between the Seawall parking lot and the Atlantic City Aquarium. Signs marking the designated vending areas are already in place. Hours of operation will be daily from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM. To operate in a given month, food trucks must be registered and approved by the first day of that month.
“Atlantic City is always open for business—and this is just one more way we’re making that known,” said Mayor Small. “Not only does this create new opportunities for small businesses, something the Small Administration is aggressive on, but this generates tax revenue and gives residents and visitors more, affordable dining options. We’re also boosting tourism by bringing additional foot traffic to these two, popular public areas.”
“Residents have spoken for years about wanting food trucks, and the Small Administration listened,” said City of Atlantic City Assistant Director of Economic Development Bruce Weekes. We want this to serve as a stepping stone for food operators to choose Atlantic City as their headquarters for permanent locations and open storefronts. This gives these entrepreneurs a chance to build their brand recognition and customer base.”
Applications will be available online at www.acnj.gov by Monday, October 6th. On the website, click Online Forms/Payments at the top of the page, find the Licensing & Inspection section and click Businesses Licenses/Mercantile. For License Type, select Food Truck. To be considered, applicants must:
· Submit a completed application
· Pay the required application and license fees
· Provide certificate of insurance
Local vendors are strongly encouraged to apply. All participating food trucks will be inspected and approved by both the City of Atlantic City Health Department and the Atlantic City Fire Department prior to operation. In accordance with city regulations, vendors will be responsible for maintaining cleanliness in their assigned areas. Alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis sales are strictly prohibited.
