Mobile Food Vendor Units - Food Trucks

ARTICLE V. - MOBILE FOOD VENDOR UNITS

Food Truck Permitting Requirements – Condensed Version

Mobile food vendor certificate means a certificate issued by the city secretary, or her designee, that authorizes the operation of a mobile food vendor unit within the city's jurisdiction.

Mobile food vendor unit (MFVU) means a commercially manufactured and equipped vehicle that is readily moveable (i.e., truck, or trailer) from which food or beverages are prepared, sold or served for consumption by the public. The term mobile food vendor unit shall not include pushcarts of any kind.

Sec. 22-321. - Required permits.

To apply for permit please visit City Hall, City Secretary’s Office located at 312 E Third Street.  

A mobile food vendor certificate of occupancy and a separate health permit issued by the State are required for each Mobile Food Vendor Unit. 

Required Documents Checklist

 

  • Proof of Texas Sales and use tax permit
  • Copy of Current Driver’s License and Vehicle Insurance and Registration
  • Food Handlers Certificate
  • State Health Permit
  • Permission letter from Property Owner
  • Restroom use letter from Property Owner
  • Copy of Liability Insurance coverage

Mobile food vendor certificate

All mobile food vendor units shall obtain mobile food vendor certificate for each specified location where food/beverage preparation and/or sales to the public are to take place from a mobile food vendor unit. Unless otherwise specified in this article, a mobile food vendor certificate is valid for the following periods: 

Temporary permit—A mobile food vendor certificate for a mobile food vendor unit that is valid for 14 days, beginning on the date specified in the certificate that authorizes the operation of a mobile food vendor unit at the specific location in the city

Fees. Certificate fees for mobile food vendor certificate(s) are set forth in the Fee Schedule found in Appendix A. 

  1. Temporary Permit-$100.00 

A mobile food vendor certificate shall not be issued without written authorization from the owner or person in control of the premises where the mobile food vendor unit will be operated, which clearly identifies the owner(s) or person(s) with legal control of the premises and states that the mobile food vendor unit has written permission to operate on the premises. 

A mobile food vendor unit must have an approved restroom facility located in or associated with the mobile food vendor unit for the use of the owner(s), operator(s), employees, workers and customers of the mobile food vendor unit for a permit to be issued.  If the mobile food vendor unit does not have a restroom, written authorization from the associated (adjacent) business owner where the mobile food vendor unit will be operated must be received allowing employees, workers and customers of the MFVU to utilize the restroom facilities on site. 

  • The restroom facility must be a commercially plumbed restroom that is accessible during all hours of operation of MFVU that provides hot and cold running water through a mixing valve or combination faucet and is located within 300 feet of the MFVU. 

A mobile food vendor certificate will not be issued to a MFVU without a valid and current health permit issued by the State of Texas Health Department for the MFVU for which a mobile food vendor certificate is being requested.

A mobile food vendor certificate shall be denied if the owner or operator of the MFVU fails to provide proof of a valid vehicle registration for the MFVU, a valid motor vehicle operator's license, proof of vehicle liability insurance for the MFVU, a valid DBA or LLC certificate and a Texas sales tax permit. 

All holders of mobile food vendor certificates issued by the city shall comply with Texas Sales and Use Tax Regulations 

Hours of operation. MFVUs are permitted to operate at any time between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m. However, they shall not be operated in a manner that creates or causes a nuisance or disturbance to adjacent properties, regardless of the hours of operation.

A MFVU shall not operate less than 50 feet from a single-family or multi-family residential use, irrespective of the zoning district in which it is permitted and operating. 

All MFVUs must be parked on an improved surface. (i.e., a surface that is sufficiently stable to hold the structure and resist weather constitutions and prevent hazards to the customers who approach the MFVU on foot to acquire products, etc.) Areas near and around the MFVUs may not retain water during rain events nor may they pond or form mud puddles that may pose hazards for customers etc.

For complete Food Truck Ordinance please refer to the link below: 

ARTICLE V. - MOBILE FOOD VENDOR UNITS | Code of Ordinances | Lampasas, TX | Municode Library