Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Shreveport, LA: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Shreveport or are thinking about moving there, food trucks & mobile vendors are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Shreveport has 2 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of food trucks & mobile vendors, and some of them might surprise you.

Vending Zones

Shreveport food trucks may only operate where a permanent business already holds a certificate of occupancy, in zoning districts the Use Matrix allows. Vacant lots and single-family or two-family residential property are off limits.

Key details: Restaurant buffer: 100 feet from main entrance. School buffer: 500 feet, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Residential lots: Barred on single- and two-family property. Trucks per lot: Two to four by lot size. Right-of-way footprint: Eight feet wide, 35 feet long.

Zoning citations go to the host property owner as well as the vendor. The zoning administrator may revoke the license, and police may cite the operator directly.

Compared to other cities, Shreveport takes a harder line on vending zones. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Food Truck Permits

Operating a food truck in Shreveport requires a food truck and trailer vendor's license from the Metropolitan Planning Commission at $200 per year, plus insurance, a hold harmless agreement and Caddo Parish Health Department clearance.

Key details: License fee: $200 per year. Apply to: Metropolitan Planning Commission. Lead time: Ten days before operating. Right-of-way insurance: $1,000,000 naming the city. Governing code: Code §§ 42-320.20 to 42-320.29.

The zoning administrator or Revenue Division may revoke the license and cite the host property owner; police issue citations. A suspended or revoked health permit voids the license automatically.

The Bottom Line

Shreveport's food trucks & mobile vendors rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Shreveport is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Shreveport's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.