Food Trucks

A food truck is a licensed, motorized vehicle or mobile unit which is temporarily stored on a private or public owned property where food and/or beverage items are sold to the public.

1. Food trucks may be permitted on a parcel with an existing retail/restaurant, office/service, or entertainment/recreation.
2. Each food truck must have an individual permit.
3. A maximum number of food trucks per commercial parcel.
   • Two (2) food trucks shall be allowed on parcels less than 1 acre in size.
   • Three (3) food trucks shall be allowed on parcels between 1 acre up to 2 acres in size
   • Four (4) food trucks shall be allowed on parcels greater than 2 acres in size d. Additional food trucks may be allowed at special events with prior permission.
4. Food trucks shall be located at least one hundred (100) feet from the customer entrance of an existing restaurant.
5. A food truck shall be located:
   • a. Fifteen (15) feet from any fire hydrant.
   • Five (5) feet from any driveway, accessible ramp, emergency call box, or building entrance/exit.
6. The operator must provide a waste receptacle for customer use within fifteen (15) feet of the food truck. The operator shall remove all trash at the end of its operating hours.
7. Town of Knightdale trash receptacles may not be used to dispose trash or waste generated by a food truck.
8. Grease or other liquid waste shall not be disposed of in tree pits, storm drains, the sanitary sewer system, or public streets.
9. Temporary connections to potable water sources shall be prohibited.
10. At least one (1) fire extinguisher shall be located on board the food truck during operation.
11. Hours of operation shall be limited to between 7:00 am - 10:00 pm unless otherwise posted.
    • The operator shall provide appropriate on-site lighting in compliance with any applicable standards of Section 7.7 if operating after sunset.
12. One (1) sandwich board sign shall be allowed subject to the requirements of Section 8.4 (F).
13. Food trucks shall not use audio amplification devices.
14. Food trucks shall not operate a drive-thru service window or door.
15. Food trucks are subject to town-wide noise ordinance.
16. A permit issued for a food truck shall be valid for the twelve (12) month period beginning January 1 and ending December 31.
    • Permit costs are not prorated.
17. Other Uses: The administrator may issue other temporary uses and activities, or special events including specific time limits, if it is determined that such uses are clearly of a temporary nature, and will not jeopardize the health, safety, or general welfare, or be injurious or detrimental to properties adjacent to, or in the vicinity of, the proposed location of the activity. 

The Town of Knightdale recognizes that food trucks are an exciting and integral part of our community’s sense of place. As such, a permit process has been created for food trucks to operate safely in Town.

1. Food truck vendors will complete the Food Truck Permit Application online(opens in a new tab).
2. Pay the food truck permit fee (found in the Town of Knightdale Fee Schedule(opens in a new tab)).
3. Visit the Knightdale Parks and Recreation office to receive a Town of Knightdale food truck permit sticker.
   • Address:  207 Main Street, Knightdale, NC 27545
   • Office hours:  Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm
4. Place the permit sticker on the serving window side of the food truck.
5. The permit sticker must:
   • Always be visible
   • Be permanently adhered to the food truck
   • Not be altered

1. Two locations on Town Property will have designated food truck parking places:
   • Knightdale Station Park(opens in a new tab)
   • Harper Park(opens in a new tab)
2. Food truck parking spaces must be reserved online(opens in a new tab).
   • Reservation Instructions (PDF, 5.65 MB)
   • Food Trucks who are parked without a reservation will be asked to leave.
3. On Town property food trucks may not operate outside of designated parking spots.
4. On commercial properties with an existing retail/restaurant, office/service, or entertainment/recreation food trucks must have written permission from the property owner.
5. Please follow the guidelines within the Food Truck Requirements section. Failure to do so may result in revocation of the food truck permit.

1. Purchasing the yearly permit allows food trucks to be entered into the selection lottery process to attend Town sponsored events. Events are broken down into two categories: Standard Events and Special Events.
2. Lottery System: A random number generator will be used to make selections from the Standard Event lottery list or the Special Event lottery list. When a food truck is selected, they receive priority to attend the designated event. Selections will be made by main food category to ensure a variety of food selections at each event. If facing a limited participation of food trucks for any event, the Town reserves the right to reach out to non-permitted food trucks.
   • Once a food truck is selected for a Standard Event, it will not be considered for another Standard Event until all other permitted trucks have had a chance to be selected. Standard Event participation does not affect eligibility for Special Event participation.
     • Standard events include, but are not limited to: Splash Pad Bash, Movie in the Park, Harper Hour, Pickin’ in the Park, Arts & Education Festival, Fall on First Avenue, and Kick or Treat the Trail.
   • Once a food truck is selected for a Special Event, it will not be considered for another Special Event until all other permitted trucks have had a chance to be selected. Special Event participation does not affect eligibility for Standard Event participation.
     • Special Events include, but are not limited to: Latin American Festival, African American Festival, Fourth on First Ave, and Christmas Parade.
3. After being selected for an event, the food truck must pay a deposit to hold their space. The deposit must be paid within five business days of receiving the selection notice. If the deposit is not paid on time, or if the food truck is unavailable, another truck will be selected from the lottery. The original food truck will be placed back into the lottery pool for future selections. All event selection notifications will be sent via email.
4. At any time, the Town reserves the right to select food trucks that closely fits the theme of the Standard/Special Event regardless of lottery or whether the food truck is permitted (i.e., Latin American Festival, African American Festival).
5. Designated parking spots on Town Property will not be available during Town sponsored events.
6. Permit does not guarantee a spot for events but will qualify the business for event lotteries.

Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination and requires state and local governments to provide equal access to their programs, services, and activities for people with disabilities. This includes ensuring that facilities are physically accessible, making reasonable modifications to policies, and communicating effectively with individuals with disabilities. When serving at Town events or on Town property, food trucks are required by law to adhere to these regulations.

A Certificate of Insurance for the food truck is required and due at the time of application submission and must meet the minimum set forth below:

• Maintain Commercial General Liability to protect the Applicant against any and all injuries to third parties, including personal injury and property, and special and consequential damages, resulting from any negligent action, omission or operation by the Applicant, its officers, employees, agents and contractors or otherwise in connection with the event described herein. This insurance shall provide bodily injury and property damage limits of not less than $1,000,000 for each occurrence, respectively, and shall provide at least $5,000 in Medical Expenses (Med Pay) coverage. The minimum liability coverage required may be increased depending on the nature of the services provided.
• Maintain owned, non-owned, and hired Automobile Liability insurance, including property damage insurance, covering all owned, non-owned, borrowed, leased, or rented vehicles operated by the applicant associated with the Event. In addition, all other mobile equipment used by the Applicant in connection with the event, will be insured under either a standard Automobile Liability policy, or a Commercial General Liability policy. This insurance shall provide bodily injury and property damages limits of not less than $1,000,000 combined single limit/each accident.
• All insurance policies by endorsement or otherwise shall include the Town of Knightdale as an additional insured party. Certificate Holder should be the Town of Knightdale mailing address:

Town of Knightdale
950 Steeple Square Court
Knightdale, NC 27545