City Council approved an ordinance Aug. 27 allowing mobile food vendors to serve food within the city at certain locations for limited amounts of time.

The ordinance allows mobile food vendors, often referred to as food trucks or trailers, to operate at existing businesses such as multi-tenant retail locations or bars that do not have a kitchen as well as parks and recreation facilities.

“This is an attempt to have food trucks without the unsightliness of a trailer park,” said Brad Wiseman, director of planning for the city of Round Rock at an Aug. 25 workshop meeting.

Wiseman said mobile food vendors can park at a site permanently if the vehicle is not visible from the public right of way. He said the owner of the business at which the food vendor would operate must apply for a permit as well.