Tuscaloosa’s Planning Commission Considers Food Truck Ordinance

Now is your chance to offer comments on the proposed City of Tuscaloosa ordinance.

Send your comments to Al Spencer by February 9, and he'll make sure your voice is heard.

Read the proposed ordinance below:

PROPOSED ORDINANCE:

Sec. 24-229. Permitted, conditional and prohibited uses.
(c) The following use is permitted within the D/R Overlay district’s BC central business district and BN
neighborhood commercial district subject to the following provisions:
(1) Mobile Food Vending Unit. A fully enclosed trailer or motorized vehicle designed
to be portable and not permanently attached to the ground from which only prepared
food or beverages are peddled, vended, sold, displayed, offered for sale, or given away.
a. Mobile food vending units shall be located on private property and no portion of said
unit may be located on any public street, alley, sidewalk, or other public way at any
time.
b. Mobile food vending units shall be located no closer than 100 feet from the primary
entrance of any existing restaurant, café, or other food related establishment.
c. The operation of a mobile food vending unit shall meet all applicable requirements
for business license, vehicle license, and related City codes; and all Tuscaloosa County
Health Department regulations.
d. All mobile food vending units must meet building setback minimums for the zoning
district in which the property is located.
e. All signage must be attached to the mobile food vending unit. All commercial
messages must pertain to the identification and operation of the mobile food
vending unit.
f. Mobile food vending units shall not block any public parking space and no public
parking spaces shall be reserved for said use.
g. Any on-site preparation of food shall be performed inside the mobile food vending
unit only. There shall be no equipment, supplies, grills or other cooking facilities
allowed outside the mobile food vending unit.
h. All garbage, trash, and other waste must be contained in receptacles with adequate
capacity and such receptacles must be positioned in locations that are accessible to
patrons at all times. All garbage, trash, and other waste must be removed from the
vending site at close of the business day.
i. Mobile food vending units shall provide adequate artificial lighting during non-daytime
hours. Such lighting shall be directed downward and at no time project onto
any public street or adjacent property.
j. No outdoor loudspeaker or public address system shall be allowed in conjunction
with the operation of any mobile vending unit. Provided, however, recorded, radio,
or satellite broadcast music may be permitted provided sound does not exceed
seventy-five (75) db(A) as measured from any adjoining property, including the public
right of way.
k. Mobile food vending units shall be removed from the property at the close of each
business day.
l. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this section, the following
uses are not regulated by this section:
1. Vendors operating upon the street right-of-way under a valid franchise
granted by the City of Tuscaloosa.
2. Vendors lawfully selling produce at the City's River Market.
3. Vehicle-mounted or tent-sheltered food sales or other retailing as defined in
Section 24-5 herein.