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

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Insurance required
$1,000,000 liability, county as additional insured
Where allowed
Private, non-residential parking lots only
Hours
No vending 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
Residential setback
150 feet from single-family/townhouse lot line
Max vendors per site
Two, absent a special event permit

Summary

A mobile food vendor operating in unincorporated Rockdale County needs a permit from the Department of Planning and Development plus a food service permit from the county Environmental Health Department, $1,000,000 in liability insurance, and a signed indemnity agreement, and can only vend on private, non-residential parking lots, not on public streets.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Rockdale County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

(uu1)Mobile food vendor. ... (3)Standards specific to mobile food vendors.a.No mobile food vendor shall conduct business on public streets or in the public right-of-way except as part of a county-sponsored or approved special event permit.b.Mobile food vendor operations shall be limited to the parking areas of privately owned, non-residential property, except that mobile food vendors may be allowed on privately owned residential property in conjunction with a small private gathering or non-profit event which will make no use of public property, including streets, other than lawful parking. ... d.All mobile food vendors shall maintain proof of a $1,000,000.00 liability insurance policy, issued by an insurance company licensed to do business in the State of Georgia, protecting the mobile food vendor, the public, and Rockdale County from all claims of damage to property and bodily injury, including death, which may arise from operation under or in connection with the permit. ... h.Mobile food vendors shall not operate between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. daily and shall not be left unattended, parked, or stored on a vending site during the restricted hours of operation.

Full Breakdown

00 liability insurance policy naming Rockdale County as an additional insured, execute an indemnity agreement releasing the county from liability, and submit written notarized consent from the property owner, a valid food service permit, proof of insurance, and a valid Georgia driver's license to the Department of Planning and Development. Placement is restricted: no vendor may locate within 150 linear feet of a single-family or townhouse lot line without a special event permit, within 150 feet of a restaurant entrance, within 15 feet of a street intersection, crosswalk, driveway, fire hydrant, alley, handicapped space, or building entrance, or within 100 feet of gas pumps or underground fuel tanks.

, must return to their base of operations when not vending, may not use external speakers or flashing lights, and no more than two mobile food vendors may operate on one property at a time outside a special event.

Violations & Fines

Vending on a public street without a special event permit, operating without the county-issued permit, food service permit, insurance, or indemnity agreement, or violating the setback, hours, or two-vendor-per-property limits under Section 218-13(uu1) is a UDO violation enforced under Section 202-9. The county may cite the vendor to the Rockdale County Magistrate Court, and Section 1-11's general penalty allows a fine up to $1,000.00, up to 60 days imprisonment, or both, per day of continued violation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a food truck park and sell on a public street in Rockdale County?
No, unless it is part of a county-sponsored or approved special event permit. Section 218-13(uu1)(3)a bars mobile food vendors from conducting business 'on public streets or in the public right-of-way' outside that exception, so routine vending is limited to privately owned, non-residential parking lots with the owner's written, notarized consent.
What documents does a mobile food vendor need before operating in Rockdale County?
A permit application to the Department of Planning and Development, a valid food service permit from the county Environmental Health Department, proof of a $1,000,000 liability insurance policy naming the county as additional insured, a signed indemnity agreement, the property owner's notarized consent, and a valid Georgia driver's license, all kept available for inspection inside the vehicle.
How close to a house can a Rockdale County food truck park?
Not within 150 linear feet of the property line of a lot with a single-family home or townhouse, unless the vendor has a special event permit, and not within 150 feet of a restaurant entrance either. It also must stay 15 feet from intersections, crosswalks, driveways, hydrants, and building entrances, and 100 feet from gas pumps.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Rockdale County

All Rockdale County rules

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