News Flash

June 14, 2023 — The City of Hampton is allowing food trucks in more parts of the city and is streamlining the permitting process for food truck owners.

Previously, food trucks were only allowed in certain retail areas that allowed “outdoor sales” and also “retail sales” which limited their locations. Because of this restriction, the downtown and Coliseum areas did not allow food trucks at all outside of special events.

Now, many more businesses wishing to host a food truck can apply to be a “food truck host site.” The owner of the property has to apply, which means that any property owner that doesn’t want trucks won’t have them. There are some restrictions on where they can operate on such a property, including that they cannot be on a public road, and must be on an improved surface, not dirt or grass. During the permitting process, a plan will be reviewed and approved to show where food trucks can operate while meeting all the requirements. Once a host site is approved, it won’t need to reapply annually.

Food trucks still cannot operate in most residential neighborhoods, although they are allowed there as part of a special event.

For food truck owners, the approval process is streamlined. They no longer need a peddlers permit, and the previous requirement that trucks pay $25 per year per site on which they operate is gone. They will still need a food truck business license and are subject to Health Department and Fire Department inspections/regulations. All of these requirements will be reviewed under one food truck permit which obtaining will show that the food truck has all needed approvals to do business in Hampton.

City Council approved the changes on May 24. 

For full details, operators and host sites can click here.