Food Truck Regulations

The City of Brentwood welcomes mobile food vendors to serve in our community provided proper license and regulations are being followed. Ordinance 2017-01(PDF, 807KB)Ordinance 2017-02(PDF, 807KB) address regulations and permitting in order to maintain the health, safety and welfare of our citizens. The permitting process for individual trucks as well as events involving more than two trucks is outlined below.

To apply for a Food Truck permit or Food Truck rally (more than ten trucks) please visit brentwood.onlama.com.

Send Food Truck questions to Allison Roberts at allison.roberts@brentwoodtn.gov or call 615-371-2236.

Permitted Food Trucks (ACTIVE between 01/01/2026 - 12/31/2026)

(*) asterisk denotes a business license held in the City of Brentwood

Permits must be renewed annually and are valid until December 31 of each year.
Below are the currently permitted food trucks in Brentwood:

SWEET

BLUE MONKEY SHAVED ICE

ROLLED 4 EVER ICE CREAM

THE SWIRLY TURTLE HAWAIIAN SHAVED ICE*

TIKIZ OF GREATER NASHVILLE SHAVED ICE AND ICE CREAM

TENNESSEE COBBLER COMPANY

TRAVELIN' TOM'S COFFEE TRUCK

SAVORY

A-MOTTS FOOD TRUCK

COUSINS MAINE LOBSTER

JAYROC'S SMOKIN' GRILL

IT'Z A PHILLY THING

LITTLE CANCUN ON THE GO

NASHVILLE CRAFT BEVERAGE AND FOOD COMPANY

ROSECOE'S SMOKED BAR-B-QUE

THE SAMBWICH CO.

SMOKEY DAWGGS GOURMET HOT DOG CO

SMOKIN BUTTZ BBQ

STEAMING GOAT

WACAMOLE MEXICAN FOOD

YAYO'S OMG

Operating Requirements

Refer to Section 18-185 for additional requirements

Vehicles must be specifically designed and constructed to sell the food offered.
Food service vehicles must be licensed and equipped in accordance with requirements of state and local agencies having jurisdiction.
Cannot operate in an area that impedes or interferes with access to another business, obstructs lawful signage of another business or obstructs emergency access/response.
Mobile food service vehicles shall serve pedestrians only. No Drive-through or drive-in service.
One sandwich board sign is permitted, maximum size 8 sq. ft. /side, placed no more than two-feet from the vehicle in addition to graphics/signage on the vehicle.
The sale of alcohol is prohibited except as allowed by state law.
Allowed in all Commercial zones.
Allowed in all Service Institution zones, for special events only, approval in advance by the City.
Allowed in all Residential zones, only for events sponsored by homeowner associations, or special events approved by the Planning Commission.

Location & Hours of Operation

Refer to Section 18-184 for specific location criteria and approval requirements

Food Trucks: Cannot operate in the public right of way, or on public property, except where specifically permitted.

Prohibited on an unimproved parcel
Hours of Operation: 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Canteen Trucks: Must operate in “clearly delineated” locations or in active constructions areas. Must operate in the public right-of-way only.

May only operate for one hour at a time
Hours of Operation: 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Ice Cream Trucks: May operate in the public right of way for no more than 15 minutes at one location. Must move at least 1/4 mile from previous location

May operate on private property with written permission of property owner
Hours of Operation: 11:00 AM to Sunset

**The Park Board shall establish rules for operation of Food Service Vehicles in City Parks.

Permits & Fees

Refer to Section 18-186 for additional permit requirements

Issued annually
Must be displayed on vehicle
Term of ALL permits shall run from January 1 to December 31

$50.00 Annual Application/Renewal Fee

$100.00 Fine Amount - Food Service Vehicle found to be operating without the required permit

$50.00 Application for Food Truck Rally (Administrative Approval) - Food Truck Rally of three to ten Food Service Vehicles

$350.00 Application for Food Truck Rally (Planning Commission Approval) - Food Truck Rally where more than 10 food trucks participate

Only permitted vehicles are allowed to participate
Application deadline is 30 days before the date of the rally
City may require a financial guarantee for cleanup and/or repairs within the public right of way

Definitions

Canteen Truck – sells pre-packaged food to workers at construction sites that requires no on-site preparation, other than warming
Food Truck - sells food prepared on the truck or in a commissary to the public
Ice Cream Truck - sells pre-packaged frozen dairy, dairy substitute, or water based products. Can be motorized vehicle or a non-motorized cart.
Food Truck Rally - three or more food trucks operating in one location at a time
Improved Parcel - one that contains a building

Download the NFPA Food Truck Safety flyer