Fort Worth, TX Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Vending Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential setback
- 50 feet minimum from single/multifamily use
- Consent zone
- Unanimous owner consent needed 50-100 ft
- Food court residential buffer
- 500 feet from 1- or 2-family district
- Units per lot
- One, unless special exception granted
- Vacant lots
- Prohibited except fresh market vendors
- Hours
- No operation 2:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.
Summary
Fort Worth restricts where mobile food vendors can set up: no operating within 50 feet of single-family or multifamily homes, no parking on vacant lots or unimproved surfaces, and no selling from public streets or sidewalks under the zoning ordinance.
(c) Operational requirements.
(1) Mobile vending units may only operate in locations as allowed by the Fort Worth zoning ordinance.
(2) No mobile vending unit may operate within 50 feet from a single-family or multi-family residential use... (4) No mobile vending unit may operate on a vacant lot... (6) No mobile vending unit shall be allowed to sell merchandise, sell, or serve food on any public street, sidewalk, or other public right-of-way...
Full Breakdown
406(c) says mobile vending units "may only operate in locations as allowed by the Fort Worth zoning ordinance," and lays out concrete siting rules on top of that. No mobile vending unit may operate within 50 feet of a single-family or multifamily residential use, may not park on a vacant lot, must park on an improved surface, and cannot obscure traffic with the unit, displays, seating or shelters. Selling from a public street, sidewalk or right-of-way is barred outright, though a licensed fresh market mobile vendor may work from a vehicle under Chapter 22, Article XI (Mobile Vending Vehicles).
Only one mobile vending unit is allowed per tract, parcel or platted lot, except a grocery store site over 60,000 square feet can get a board-of-adjustment special exception for up to three units, or unlimited units in the Near Southside zoning district with an approved urban design commission plan. cutoff on amplified music, portable chairs/tables and generator use. 406(f), governs mobile vendor food courts: they must sit at least 500 feet from a one- or two-family residential zoning district (closer only by board-of-adjustment special exception, up to a five-year term), need permanent restrooms within 500 feet of each unit, a designated on-site manager, and a site plan showing parking, fire lanes, landscaping and signage before the city will issue a vendor certificate of occupancy.
Violations & Fines
Operating without a valid vendor certificate of occupancy, or violating the siting rules in § 5.406, is enforced by the planning and development department and code compliance as a zoning violation, which under the general Fort Worth Code penalty provision (§ 1-6) can carry fines up to $500 per day for a residential-use violation, or up to $2,000 per day for others. The certificate is not transferable and can be denied for failing to provide vehicle registration, a driver's license, liability insurance proof or a Texas sales tax permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a food truck park on any commercial lot in Fort Worth?
Can a food truck operate on a residential street in Fort Worth?
How close can a mobile vendor food court be to a house in Fort Worth?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Worth
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Vending Zones in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Tarrant County handle vending zones.