James City County, VA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)

Sec. 24-49 of the zoning ordinance requires anyone operating a mobile food vending vehicle, defined countywide as a food truck, to hold an administrative permit issued by the zoning administrator before vending on public or private property. The written application must be submitted on county forms and include a copy of a valid Virginia Department of Health permit confirming the truck meets health standards, which must stay current for the life of the permit, verification that the fire department has inspected and approved the truck, and written documentation that the property owner consents to the vending.

Once the zoning office confirms the application meets Sec. 24-49's standards, it issues the permit, which lasts no more than one year before the operator must reapply. An operator who wants to add vending locations during that year can amend the existing permit by submitting the new property owner's written consent rather than filing a fresh application. The same section layers on operational standards that apply for the life of the permit: the truck must display its business license and health permit where customers can see them, operate only during the host business's hours, park at least 100 feet from any off-site home or restaurant entrance, and limit exterior signage to a single six-square-foot A-frame sign placed within 30 feet of the truck.

The rules do not apply to trucks working a permitted special event under chapter 14 or a privately catered event closed to the public. A permit found out of compliance with Sec. 24-49 may be revoked outright by the zoning office.