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

Article VIII of Chapter 22 governs mobile food vendors. Section 22-300(a) makes it unlawful to sell or offer food of any type from a commissary, mobile retail food establishment, pushcart or temporary food establishment without a license first granted under the section, except for city-sponsored events. The application is submitted to the community development director or designee, who develops the form (§ 22-300(b)).

Each application for a mobile food vendor business license lists nine items: the vendor's name; the make, model and license plate number of the vending unit; the owner's and operator's contact information; the type of vendor, either street vending unit or sidewalk vending unit; a copy of the approved permit from the Cobb County Health Department or the Georgia Department of Agriculture; a list of operating locations and times; signatures from property owners consenting to use of their property; and the applicant's signature agreeing to the listed requirements.

The definitions in § 22-299 set the categories. A mobile food vendor is a retail food establishment that reports to and operates from a commissary and is a readily moveable motorized or towed wheeled vehicle designed and equipped to serve food. A pushcart is a non-self-propelled vehicle limited to commissary prepared or prepackaged food and non-potentially hazardous food unless its equipment is commercially designed and approved. A temporary food establishment operates at a fixed location for not more than 14 consecutive days in conjunction with a single event or celebration.

Section 22-301 attaches conditions to the license. The vendor carries a $1,000,000.00 liability insurance policy from a company licensed in Georgia, naming the city as an additional insured with 30 days advance written notice of cancellation. The license and health certificates stay firmly attached and visible on the unit, drivers hold a valid Georgia driver's license, sales are limited to food and non-alcoholic beverages, and motorized vehicles carry a reverse gear signal alarm and two rear-vision mirrors. Permit holders also sign an indemnity agreement releasing the City of Smyrna (§ 22-302).