Food Truck Application

Regulation of food trucks (mobile food units and mobile food vendors) is necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public, as well as to promote the public interest by regulating the areas and methods of operation.

To meet these ends, the City has determined all persons or entities that desire to vend from Food Trucks within the city limits must be issued a permit and must comply with all state and local business tax regulations.

Recent legislation will exempt anyone with a state-issued permit from having to obtain a local food truck permit. All others will be required to obtain the Oak Ridge food truck permit prior to operation.

As part of the permitting process, vendors will need to show compliance with health inspections and obtain a business license, as well as continue the current process of passing an inspection by the fire prevention office pursuant to the International Fire Code, 2018 edition, (IFC) which was adopted by the City through Ordinance No. 9-2019.

Permitting Process

For all Food Trucks that are not under a valid state-issued mobile food unit permit, the Food Truck Operator must first obtain a Food Truck Permit from the City before operating within the city limits of Oak Ridge. The Food Truck Permit shall be prominently displayed at all times on the applicable Food Truck while the Food Truck is in operation for mobile vending.

A Food Truck Operator shall complete the application for a Food Truck Permit on a form provided by the City and shall pay a non-refundable application fee of $50.

The application will require, in part, that the Food Truck Operator obtain a business license in accordance with state and local requirements and pass a fire inspection.

A Food Truck Permit is valid only for the Food Truck inspected for the permit and is not transferable to any other Food Truck even if it is operated by the same Food Truck Operator.

Please contact the Oak Ridge Clerk's Office at (865) 425-3411 for collection of the application and fee. 

• View state mobile food unit permit information