Operating a food truck in Franklin requires a Mobile Food Vendor Permit from Building & Neighborhood Services (BNS), governed by Title 9 Chapter 11 (Mobile Food Vending) of the Franklin Municipal Code. Franklin's adopted ordinance (Aug. 28, 2023; effective Sept. 25, 2023) caps the city-wide program at 12 mobile food units operating per year as a pilot framework, with operations ceasing by 9:00 PM. Per an update to the International Fire Code, applicants must also obtain a state-issued fire permit from the Tennessee State Fire Marshal and a Tennessee Department of Health retail food permit (TDH rules Chapter 1200-23-1).
Franklin's mobile food truck framework was adopted by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen on August 28, 2023 (6-0 vote) and is codified at Franklin Municipal Code Title 9 (Business, Peddlers, Solicitors, Etc.), Chapter 11 (Mobile Food Vending), with Section 9-1104 setting the permit requirement. Required permits: (1) Franklin Mobile Food Vendor Permit issued by Building & Neighborhood Services (BNS) — application available on the City's permitting portal; (2) Franklin Business License through Billing & Licensing; (3) Tennessee State Fire Marshal mobile food permit (REQUIRED under an update to the International Fire Code, which Franklin has adopted through Title 12 — applicants must obtain the state-issued fire permit and include a copy in the submittal to the City of Franklin); (4) Tennessee Department of Health retail food permit under Rule Chapter 1200-23-1 (Food Service Establishment) — mobile food units are regulated as a category of food service establishment by TDH; (5) Williamson County business tax registration; (6) Tennessee Department of Revenue sales-tax registration (7% state + 2.75% local combined). Two application tracks exist: a Mobile Food Vendor Application (mobile / roving) and a Mobile Food Vendor Location-Specific Application (anchored at one site). Pilot cap: Franklin's 2023 ordinance limits the city-wide program to twelve (12) mobile food units operating per year, with the city collecting operational data through the pilot framework. Operating hours: mobile food units cease operations by 9:00 PM, excluding events on private property where residents host food units as the catering vendor. Insurance, fire-suppression (Class K / hood suppression for cooking units), propane / LP gas, and fixed extinguisher requirements are imposed through the city's mobile food vendor application packet and the International Fire Code as adopted by Franklin. Enforcement: Franklin Fire Marshal's Office, BNS Code Compliance (615-794-7012), and Franklin Municipal Court — each day a violation continues is a separate offense.
Operating without the Franklin Mobile Food Vendor Permit, the state fire permit, the TDH food permit, or the Franklin business license is a Title 9 Chapter 11 violation. Cease-operations orders issued by BNS / Franklin Fire Marshal. Each day of continuing violation is a separate offense in Franklin Municipal Court. Insurance lapses void the permit.
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