The Montgomery Planning and Zoning Commission will host a public hearing May 2 regarding recent discussion on mobile food units and mobile food courts. City Council held a special workshop April 11 to discuss potential changes.

“I've been in local government for 25 years, so I've been doing this for quite a bit,” City Administrator Gary Palmer said. “My process for an amendment is to always take a look at our environment, take a look at our issues, talk to the city policymakers about our issues, talk to the city staff, and then I'll look at other community ordinances. I'll try to cherry pick whatever they have in their ordinances and see if it fits for us. Then I'll try to tailor it to best fit our needs.”

The last time Montgomery City Council discussed making changes to the food truck ordinance was in October 2021. Community Impact reported changes that included removing a requirement that food trucks be 5 feet from a street corner and adjusting the times food trucks are be able to operate. In May 2022, the City Council voted against a moratorium on food truck permits.

Palmer said some discussion has taken place regarding new changes, but no action was taken. On April 11, he presented a slideshow laying out main changes that may occur.

Main changes include:
  • Expanding definitions to include mobile food unit and mobile food court;
  • Adding exemptions for farm products, cottage food production operations, street festivals, and roaming ice cream trucks;
  • Defining locations where activity is allowed;
  • Changing the permit fee schedule—the term operating in the city—from one month to six months; and
  • Setting a flat rate of $100 for a six-month period to operate in the city.
What is a mobile food unit versus a food court?


A mobile food unit or vendor includes:
  • A vehicle mounted, self-contained food service operation designed to be readily movable and used to store, prepare, display, serve or sell food; and
  • Includes food trucks, concession carts and concession trailers.
A mobile food court means:
  • A land use approved through a special-use permit; and
  • It must be developed in conformity with an approved site plan in which two or more mobile food vendors congregate to offer edible goods for sale to the public.
Where could food trucks operate?
  • Mobile food units may be permitted in the Commercial District, Industrial District and Institutional District.
  • Mobile food units will only be permitted in the Historic District after receiving approval through the special-use process and from City Council.
What's next?

There was no action taken at the April 11 workshop. The planning and zoning commission will hold a public hearing May 2 before making a recommendation to City Council. After the recommendation, a public hearing will be called for City Council and subsequent consideration for approval.