With nearly 200 food truck vendors applying for permits in 2024, up from fewer than 10 in 2017, the Birmingham City Council last week unanimously approved amendments to the city’s food truck ordinance.

The amendments are aimed at reducing the time it takes to process the applications and prevent redundancy — cutting the time from several months to 48 hours, according to the city.

Currently, 192 vendors have applied for permits in 2024.

“The whole purpose of these changes is aimed at making it easier for people to operate a food truck in Birmingham because we see that as not only beneficial for tax revenue purposes, but also because it adds to the character of the city and our renowned local food scene,” said City Council President Darrell O’Quinn.

Other changes made to the ordinance first passed in 2017 include reducing the number of permit options to a single one for vendors. Previously, there were multiple variations of food truck permits, which complicated the process, according to vendors and city officials.

Food trucks serve customers in Birmingham in 2017, when the city received fewer than 10 food truck permit applications. Almost 200 applications have been filed in 2024. (contributed)

Paige Ishmael, senior planner with the Birmingham Department of Transportation, told the council that city employees worked extensively with food truck owners, businesses and merchants’ associations to make the application process faster.

The fee for the permit will be fixed at $200. Currently, fees range from $300 to $500 based on the permit type.

The changes would also require a fire inspection from the city, not an outside entity. Food trucks will be able to park and operate at any metered space in the city, as long as they are in compliance with previously existing regulations, such as not operating within 150 feet of a restaurant. Vendors are required to pay the meter when they are parked.

“This has been something we’ve discussed at City Hall for quite some time and I’m very glad to see these amendments put in place; I think it will greatly benefit our vendors and residents alike,” O’Quinn said.

All food truck permits expire Dec. 31, and city officials hope the new process will be in place by Jan. 2, 2025.

How to obtain a permit and business license for a food truck

• Operators must get a fire inspection from the Birmingham Fire Department.
• They must then obtain a Jefferson County Department of Health permit.
• Vendors will then need to visit the Birmingham Department of Transportation Office at City Hall to fill out an application and conditions form.
• Operators must have a valid driver’s license and certificate of general liability insurance.
• Once other steps are completed, they will need to acquire a business license with the city of Birmingham to receive their decal, which must be displayed at all times.

For more information, visit www.birminghamal.gov/foodtruck.