News

Arkansas city drafts food truck regulations

April 30, 2018

Officials in Texarkana, Arkansas, have begun work on food truck regulations, and recently discussed potential locations, health safety regulations and permit fees, according to the Texarkana Gazette. Bobby Ferguson Park and Front Street Festival Plaza topped the list of suggested sites for food trucks. 

City Manager Kenny Haskin suggested a $250 annual permit, in addition to a state health license that would cost $50, with a yearly renewal fee of $35 — the same as for restaurants. The city is also considering requiring food truck operators to carry liability insurance.

State law requires food trucks to have a permanent "commissary," or kitchen. The city would require an additional fee for food truck owners to use the kitchen at Bobby Ferguson Park as their commissary.

The city currently charges an annual permit fee of $200 in addition to a $200 annual health inspection fee. Seasonal operators such as ice cream trucks pay a permit fee of $100 for six months.

Officials will develop a white paper with details of the proposal, including a sample permit application, Haskin said.