Birmingham food truck ordinance
The Birmingham food truck ordinance is a city ordinance, amending Title 12, Chapter 14 of the Birmingham General City Code of 1980, to regulate food trucks and carts operating within the city limits.
It was recommended by Johnathan Austin based on complaints from brick-and-mortar restaurateurs. The Greater Birmingham Street Food Coalition formed to oppose what they perceived as excessive restrictions. After being amended and tabled several times, the ordinance passed on December 17, 2013 by an 8-0 vote.
The ordinance requires mobile food vendors to obtain a permit to operate on rights-of-way in the city limits, with a costlier "premier" permit to do business in the City Center. Food trucks are required to maintain a 150-foot buffer from other restaurants, and their business hours are limited to between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM, except for special events.
A Birmingham Mobile Food Vendors Committee was created to review permit applications, determine rotating zones of operation for individual permit holders, and hear complaints.
References
- Carlton, Bob (December 6, 2012) "Lawyer for food truck operators urges Birmingham City Council to reconsider mobile food ordinance." The Birmingham News
- Godwin, Brent (November 12, 2013) "Ordinance could shake up local food truck scene." Birmingham Business Journal
- Hoppe, Ian (November 12, 2013) "Food Trucks, Common Sense, and Regulatory Hell" Pride of Ely - accessed November 12, 2013
- Godwin, Brent (December 17, 2013) "Food truck ordinance approved by City Council." Birmingham Business Journal