The City of Hampton is allowing food trucks in more parts of the city and is streamlining the permitting process for food truck owners. City Council approved amendments to the City Code and Zoning Ordinance May 24, 2023, to expand where food trucks can operate and consolidate the permitting process. Read below for more information.
Food Truck Operators
Before you do business in Hampton, make sure you have the necessary permits to operate a food truck. To find out more information, please review the Food Truck Operator Fact Sheet. You can read the specific regulations here.
Our new Food Truck Permit process will roll out January 1, 2024, for all food trucks seeking to operate in Hampton. In the meantime, if you are an existing legally operating food truck in Hampton, you will not need to go through the process until then. If you are new to Hampton, you will need to obtain a business license from our Commissioner of Revenue, receive a fire safety inspection by emailing foodtrucknotifications@hampton.gov, and receive a Virginia Department of Health (VDH)mobile food unit license.
Once you have obtained permission from an approved host site and plan to operate there, please email foodtrucknotifications@hampton.gov at least 48 hours in advance to let us know. You can use this formif you have multiple host sites when emailing us.
Host sites are still up for approval. Check back here in the future for a map of host site locations.
Food Truck Host Sites
Before you have a food truck operate on your property, make sure you have the necessary Zoning Administrator Permit (ZAP) to become a food truck host site. To find out more information, please review the Food Truck Host Site Fact Sheet. You can read the specific regulations here.
Once approved, be sure to provide written permission to all food trucks you allow at your property. You are responsible for ensuring compliance with all restrictions at the host site and violations could result in removal of your ability to host food trucks.
General FAQ
What if I have a special event permit, do I need to go through the food truck host site approval process?
Answer: No, if you obtain a special event permit including food trucks, that permit will detail how food trucks are allowed to operate. The food trucks would still be required to obtain a food truck permit to do business in Hampton.
What are the permitted hours of operation for food trucks?
Answer: It depends if the location is within 100 feet of a residential property. If so, the food truck can only operate from 7 am to 10 pm, or until the business at the host site closes, whichever is sooner. If further from residential properties, food trucks can operate 5 am to 2 am, or until the business closes.
How do I file a complaint regarding food trucks or food truck host sites?
Answer: Please call our 3-1-1 Citizen Contact Center by calling (757) 727-8311, emailing 311@Hampton.gov or visiting our website here.
How can I check if a food truck can operate in Hampton?
Answer: Starting January 1, 2024, every food truck will be required to display a singular “Hampton Food Truck Permit” which will demonstrate they have the necessary business license, health permit, and Fire safety inspection. In the meantime, they are required to have each of those approvals and paperwork. Food trucks are only allowed to operate at approved host site locations. Check back here in the future for a full map of host site locations.
Can food trucks operate on public streets?
Answer: Not at this time, unless approved as part of a special event permit. There is one exception that allows certain food trucks like ice cream trucks to sell pre-prepared and pre-packaged food items for 15 minutes along any single block in an 8-hour period.
Where can food trucks be parked when they’re not in operation?
Answer: In general, food trucks may be parked in commercial and industrial parking lots for 72 hours or less, with certain other restrictions that can be read in the ordinance here. Food trucks may also park long-term in approved vehicle storage establishments.