The Town of Nashville now allows mobile food vending in the I-1 (Industrial), B1 (Highway Business), and the B-2 (Central Business) Zoning Districts. 

MOBILE FOOD VENDING APPLICATION & CONSENT FORM

MOBILE FOOD VENDING PROCESS:

STEP 1: APPLICATION & FEE

Application is available in the link above and at Town Hall. 

The Mobile Food Vending Application fee is $40 and is due prior to issuance of permit. 

STEP 2: APPLICATION & SITE PLAN SUBMITTAL

Application must be completed and submitted with a site plan showing the vendor location, existing structures, sidewalks, off-street parking, ingress/egress, trash/waste receptacles, and street names completed consent form, photo/drawing of food vendor, and health department permit.

Application and site plan can be submitted in-person and emailed to permits@townofnashvillenc.gov .

Incomplete applications WILL NOT be processed. 

STEP 3: PLANNING STAFF REVIEW

Staff will review application and site plan to ensure compliance of the zoning code. 

Mobile food vending regulations, per Town of Nashville's Code of Ordinances are as follows: 

Sec. 18-109.b.17 

a. On private and public property, with written dated permission of the owner or designee provided to the town.

b. No mobile vending may take place in the town without i) prior written approval of the zoning
administrator or ii) by a special event permit approved by Town Council.

c. Name, address, and phone number of the vendor must be included in request.

d. A drawing or site plan must be submitted showing location of vendor, buildings, parking, and
pedestrian facilities within a 50-foot radius.

e. Shall not operate between the hours 10:00 pm and 6:00 a.m. and shall be removed from the
premises of which they operate during these hours.

f. A drawing or picture of the vending apparatus so that it can be reasonable identified be submitted
to the town.

g. Current department of health permit be on file with the town.

h. Only allowed in a I-1 (industrial district), B-1 (Highway Business District), and B-2 (Central Business District).

i. Shall be located at least 100 from the front entrance of an existing restaurant and outdoor dining area and at least 50 feet from any permitted mobile food vending cart location. 

j. Must be parked at least 15 feet away from any fire hydrant, any fire department connection and 5 feet away from any driveway, sidewalk, utility box or vault, handicapped ramp, building entrance or exit, or emergency call box. 

k. Temporary connections to water are allowed for cleaning and hand washing only, not drinking water, and shall be equipped with backflow check valve. All plumbing and electrical connections shall be in accordance with the State Building Code.

l. Grease and wastewater must be contained and disposed of in an approved grease receptable. 

m. The Planning Director may engage in zoning enforcement or prohibit/suspend a food truck vendor’s operation if they are causing parking, traffic congestion, or litter problems either on or off the property where the use is located or such use is otherwise creating nuisance or danger to the public health or safety. 

n. If mobile food vendor is found to be in violation of these requirements, a fine will be issued in accordance with Section 1-12, and subsequent violations may result in revocation of the permit. 

o. No signage shall be allowed, other than signs permanently attached to the motor vehicle, and a freestanding easel sign no more than limited to 12 square feet per sign face, in display area may be placed displayed within the customer waiting area. 

STEP 4: APPROVAL AND PAYMENT 

Once application is approved, applicant is responsible for making the $40 payment.

The Mobile Food Vending Certificate is signed by Planning staff. 

Planning staff will provide a copy of the Mobile Food Vending Certificate for the applicant. 

STEP 5: NASH COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

Nash County Commissary Form and Plan Review Application for Mobile Food Units and Pushcarts are required. 

For more information, please see below:  

Nash County Health Department
Division of Environmental Health
120 W. Washington Street
Suite 2127
Nashville, NC 27856
(252) 459-1312

HELPFUL LINKS:

Town of Nashville Zoning Map

Nash County NC - GIS