Decatur, GA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)

Section 86-24, 'Regulation of mobile food facilities,' sits in Chapter 86 of the Code of Ordinances for the City of Decatur, DeKalb County, Georgia, and was adopted by Ordinance No. O-17-04 in 2017. Subsection (c) requires a permit from the city manager or the city manager's designee before operating, placing or maintaining a mobile food facility on a public sidewalk or on private property. Applicants pay an administrative fee set by the city commission and must submit their name, address and phone number; the facility's height, width, length and proposed location; a hold-harmless agreement for sidewalk permits; and an affidavit confirming they have applied, or will immediately apply, for the required DeKalb County Board of Health permit.

The city cannot issue the city permit until the county health permit comes through. Each operator may run only one mobile food facility citywide, a permit lasts one year, and it cannot be transferred to another owner or vehicle. If the city manager denies an application, the denial must be in writing with reasons, and the applicant has 15 days to file a written appeal. The city commission can revoke a permit outright for noncompliance. Operating standards layered on top of the permit include a 36-square-foot maximum operation area, mandatory display of the vendor's name, address, phone number and both permits, and no alcohol sales, sales to vehicle occupants, amplified sound or added lighting beyond what the facility needs to operate. Unpermitted or hazardously placed facilities are removed by the city at the owner's expense, including storage, and held no more than 30 calendar days.