Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Shreveport, LA

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 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of food trucks & mobile vendors, and some of them might surprise you.

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.

Sidewalk & Mobile Vending

Selling from a sidewalk cart in Shreveport is legal only inside the B-4 central business district, and only with a sidewalk vendor's license from the Downtown Development Authority. Carts must be wheeled and movable, insured, and assigned a specific spot; licenses run from $20.00 for 30 days up to $100.00 for a full year.

Key details: District: B-4 central business district only. Fee range: $20 (30 days) to $100 (1 year). Location buffer: 10 feet from intersections, hydrants, doors. Locations per cart: Maximum of two per license. Pedestrian space: 5 feet unobstructed space required.

The sidewalk vendor license committee can suspend or revoke a license for violating the cart, insurance, or ten-foot buffer requirements, or for selling goods outside the licensed kind. The holder gets written notice and ten days to request a hearing before the committee acts; an aggrieved applicant or license holder then has ten days to appeal to the city council. Vending outside the B-4 district or without a license at all is unlawful under section 42-301 and falls back on the general penalty in section 1-14: up to $1,000.00 and 60 days in jail.

This is one of the stricter rules in Shreveport's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

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.

The Bottom Line

Shreveport is tougher than many cities when it comes to food trucks & mobile vendors. Out of the 3 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Shreveport, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

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.