Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Chapel Hill, NC (2026)
2 verified food trucks & mobile vendors rules for Chapel Hill, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Food Truck Permits
Every food truck operating in Chapel Hill needs an annual privilege license under Code of Ordinances § 10-71, plus a town inspection before the license issues, a regulatory fee to cover the cost of oversight, and a certification sticker displayed on the truck alongside the county health permit during business hours.
Chapel Hill Food Truck Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsChapel Hill Code of Ordinances § 10-71
(a)A vendor must obtain annual privilege license from the town.(b)In addition to the annual privilege license each vendor will be subject to an annual regulatory fee that will be assessed to cover the costs associated with regulation of food truck businesses. ... (c)A food truck will be inspected by the town prior to the issuance or renewal of an annual privilege license.(d)Upon issuance of the...
Vending Zones
Chapel Hill limits where a food truck can set up: Code of Ordinances § 10-69 confines vending to specific commercial zoning districts, catering jobs, and town-authorized events, and it keeps trucks at least 100 feet from an existing restaurant's entrance and 15 feet from fire hydrants and access lanes unless the restaurant owner agrees to a closer spot.
Chapel Hill Food Truck Vending Location Rules
Significant RestrictionsChapel Hill Code of Ordinances § 10-69
(a)Food trucks may only conduct business in the following locations:(1)On privately owned non-residential property in zoning districts TC-1, TC-2, and TC-3 zoning districts subject to the approval of the property owner. A food truck may not be located in any portion of a parking lot when and where such location would prevent the use of parking spaces during the regular hours of operation of the...
Looking for Orange County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Chapel Hill city rules.
Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Orange County →