There’s no dispute that the City of Birmingham is a culinary mecca. Now the food truck revolution takes some of the best culinary creations to the streets. From braised pork to luscious cupcakes to gourmet grilled cheese and more, there is no shortage of full flavored choices. Nor is there a shortage of opinions on when and where mobile food vendors should and can do business in Birmingham.
On Tuesday, December 17, 2013, the Birmingham City Council considered an Ordinance to amend Title 12, Chapter 14 of the General City Code 1980 to add a new chapter to establish regulations for mobile food vehicles and pushcarts in the City of Birmingham.
“We took into consideration the concerns of the food truck operators, brick and mortar restaurant owners, and private citizens,” said Council President Johnathan F. Austin. The Ordinance, approved via consent, requires fees of $300 for a general permit to operate; $500 for a “premier” permit to operate within the city center; and also restricts a truck from operating within 150 feet of a brick and mortar restaurant, among other regulations.
“The Ordinance also creates a Mobile Food Vendors Committee that will approve locations for food truck vendors,” said Council Steven Hoyt, Chair of the Public Safety Committee. Since July 2012 the committee has researched options to develop the best guidelines.
On November 5, 2013, the business license code of the City of Birmingham was amended by the Council to categorize the different types of mobile food services and set license fees. Mobile vendors, including pushcarts, ice cream trucks, lunch wagons and the popular food trucks are now required, under the expanded business code, to pay fees based off of annual revenues they report.
To download a copy of the regulations, log on to www.birminghamalcitycouncil.org. You can find the Food Truck Ordinance under the legislation tab.
The Birmingham City Council is the legislative branch of Birmingham city government as defined by the Mayor-Council Act of the State of Alabama. All official actions must be approved by a majority vote of the Council during its regular meeting at 9:30 each Tuesday morning.
