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Jackson County, MS Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)

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

Key Facts

Governing section
Zoning Ordinance § 6.13.1
Private-site requirement
Written owner permission on file with permit
Utility hookups
Require Planning and Building Dept inspection
Residential storage limit
1 unit max, fenced or garaged
Fire hydrant clearance
Cannot locate within 10 feet

Summary

Mobile food vendors operating in unincorporated Jackson County need a permit backed by the property owner's written permission, and units drawing outside power or water must pass Planning and Building Department inspection as a temporary installation.

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

Section 6.13.1. Mobile Food Vendor. a) Vendors locating on private property shall have written permission on file with a permit showing permission from the owner of the property where located, and permission shall include access to public restrooms and parking for customers. b) Vending units requiring any outside utility support, such as power or water, are subject to inspection and approval by the Planning and Building Department as a temporary installation. All connections must be completed in a manner which prevents potential harm to operators, customers, or nearby public. c) When not in use, vending units may be stored on-site, if on private property and secure...No more than one unit may be stored on residential property or in a residential zone, and if so stored, must be completely contained within a privacy-fenced area or garage.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.

Full Breakdown

1 governs Mobile Food Vendors. A vendor locating on private property must have written permission from the property owner on file with the permit application, and that permission must specifically cover access to public restrooms and customer parking, not just a spot to park the truck. Any vending unit that draws outside utility support, such as power or water hookups, is subject to inspection and approval by the Planning and Building Department as a temporary installation, and every connection must be made in a manner that prevents harm to operators, customers or the public.

Storage rules apply when the unit is not in use: on private property it may be stored on-site if secured; on public property the unit must be removed after operating hours. No more than one unit may be stored on residential property or in a residential zone, and any unit stored there must be fully contained within a privacy-fenced area or garage. The storage location itself must be identified on the permit or license application. Vendors are responsible for collecting, removing and disposing of all waste from their own operation.

1(h) carves out special events and vendor permits inside County Parks, which are handled separately from the general mobile food vendor permit. 13, Outdoor Sales of Goods, which otherwise bars selling goods from trucks, vans or shacks except mobile farm produce or seafood sales in Agricultural, Commercial or Industrial districts.

Violations & Fines

Operating without the required written property-owner permission on file, or without Planning and Building Department approval for a utility-connected unit, is a zoning violation under Section 9.5: a knowing, willful violation is a misdemeanor with a fine up to $500, rising to $100 per day for a continuing, uncorrected violation. The Zoning Officer may issue citations for noncompliant vending setups.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need the property owner's permission to run a food truck on private land in Jackson County?
Yes. Section 6.13.1(a) requires written permission from the property owner on file with the permit, and that permission must specifically include access to public restrooms and customer parking.
Can I hook my food truck up to a building's power or water?
Only with inspection and approval from the Planning and Building Department as a temporary installation, per Section 6.13.1(b), and connections must be made so they cannot harm operators, customers or the public.
How many food trucks can I store at my house?
No more than one, and it must be completely contained inside a privacy-fenced area or garage while not in use, per Section 6.13.1(c); on public property the unit must be removed when not operating.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Jackson County

All Jackson County rules

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