Alachua County, FL Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Zoning status
- limited use under Sec. 404.69.1
- License display
- all State/County licenses shown on the unit
- Standard hours
- 7:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. or host's closing time
- Transient truck hours
- 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
- Drive-through sales
- not allowed from the unit
- Undeveloped-lot setback
- 100 ft from existing residential development
Summary
Unincorporated Alachua County treats a food truck as a limited zoning use under Sec. 404.69.1. Every state and county license the operator holds must be displayed conspicuously on the unit, and operating hours are capped at 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. or the host business's closing time, whichever is later.
Mobile food sales are allowed as a limited use in the A-RB, BR, BR-1, BH, BA, BA-1, BW, ML, MS, MP, and MB districts, Traditional Neighborhood and Transit Oriented Developments, and on properties with a Mixed-Use Future Land Use designation, subject to the following standards. (a) Required licenses. All required licenses from the appropriate State or County agencies must be displayed conspicuously on the mobile food service unit from which the food is sold. ... (c) Hours of operation. Mobile food sales shall be limited to the hours of operation between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. or close of business, whichever is later, of the principal use on site. Transient mobile food sales shall be limited to the hours between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 63).
Full Breakdown
Mobile food sales are a limited use in the A-RB, BR, BR-1, BH, BA, BA-1, BW, ML, MS, MP, and MB districts, in Traditional Neighborhood and Transit Oriented Developments, and on land with a Mixed-Use Future Land Use designation. Sec. 1. Subsection (a) requires all required licenses from the appropriate State or County agencies to be displayed conspicuously on the mobile food service unit itself. m. Subsection (b) bars operating in a way that blocks a business entrance or exit, creates a pedestrian or life-safety hazard, obstructs vehicular or pedestrian circulation or emergency exit access, or creates an off-site traffic hazard or nuisance; drive-through sales from the unit are not allowed, and the operator must keep adjacent sidewalks and parking areas clean of refuse from the operation.
If sited on an undeveloped property, subsection (d) adds a 100-foot setback from any existing residential development and a minimum 1,500-square-foot parking area sized for at least five vehicles.
Violations & Fines
Operating without displaying the required licenses, outside permitted hours, or in violation of the sales-area and setback standards is enforceable through the Alachua County Code Enforcement Board under Chapter 24. The general penalty in Alachua County Code § 10.08 applies: a fine up to $500.00, up to 60 days in jail, or both, with each day of a continuing violation a separate offense, plus possible revocation of licenses or permits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a food truck operate anywhere in unincorporated Alachua County?
What license does a food truck operator need to show?
What hours can a food truck sell food in the county?
Are drive-through food truck sales allowed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alachua County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Alachua County to another location·View the Florida food trucks & mobile vendors overview
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