Fort Smith, AR Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Vending Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- Allowed zones
- C-2–C-6, I-1, I-2, form-based
- Residential zoning
- prohibited outright
- Public ROW vending
- C-6 downtown district only
- State highways
- vending barred on these
Summary
Fort Smith allows mobile food trucks on private property only in C-2 through C-6 commercial and I-1/I-2 industrial districts, plus form-based code zones; residential zoning is off-limits.
Zoning districts. Outdoor mobile food vendors shall be permitted on private property in C-2 through C-6 commercial zoning districts, I-1, I-2 industrial zoning districts and the form based code zoning districts. Outdoor mobile food vendors are prohibited in residential zoning districts.
b. Number of vendors. Only one mobile food vendor shall be permitted per lot. However, if a lot has multiple street frontages, vendors may operate on the lot provided there is only one mobile food vendor proposed per street frontage. Otherwise, all proposed multiple mobile food vendors on a single lot shall be considered a mobile food court and shall comply with the requirements for mobile food courts below.
c. Permission required. Outdoor mobile food vendors shall first obtain written permission from the property owner prior to submitting an application.
2. Mobile food courts.
a. Zoning districts. Mobile food courts shall be permitted as a conditional use in C-2 through C-4 and permitted by right in the C-5, C-6, I-1, and I-2 zoning districts. Outdoor mobile food courts are prohibited in residential zoning districts.
b. Review criteria. A property owner, or agent, proposing a mobile food court shall submit an application or a conditional use permit to the planning department. The planning department or planning commission will review the overall compatibility of the planned semi-permanent use with the surrounding property as well as such specific items as screening, parking
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 4).
Full Breakdown
Fort Smith's UDO limits where outdoor mobile food vendors may operate. On private property, a single mobile food vendor is permitted in C-2 through C-6 commercial districts, I-1 and I-2 industrial districts, and form-based code zoning districts, but is flatly prohibited in every residential zoning district. Multiple vendors on one lot are treated as a mobile food court, which needs a conditional use permit in C-2 through C-4 and is permitted by right in C-5, C-6, I-1 and I-2. On the public street right-of-way, vending is confined to the C-6 downtown commercial district and form-based code zones, and is barred outright from designated truck routes and state highways such as Garrison and Towson Avenues.
Violations & Fines
Operating a mobile food vendor in a residential zoning district, or running an unpermitted mobile food court, is prohibited conduct that can trigger permit denial or revocation by the director.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a food truck park in a Fort Smith residential neighborhood?
Where can food trucks vend on Fort Smith streets?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Smith
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