Jackson, MS Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Vending Zones (2026)

Jackson's mobile food vending ordinance (General Code Chapter 66, Article III, Sections 66-76 through 66-81, last amended by Ord. No. 2025-38(17) on October 21, 2025) confines mobile pushcarts, mobile tents and mobile food preparation vehicles to zones approved by the zoning division of the Department of Planning and Economic Development and the Department of Public Works. Section 66-79(a) lists the eligible zones: commercial districts, the C80 Corridor, NMU-1 (neighborhood mixed use, pedestrian oriented), CMU-1 (community mixed-use, pedestrian oriented), C-4 (central business district), UTC (urban town center mixed-use), Old Capitol Green mixed use, and SUD (special use districts); any other location needs prior sign-off from both departments.

Within those zones, Section 66-79(c) layers on distance rules: vendors must stay at least 300 feet from the entrance of any brick-and-mortar food business unless that owner notarizes written permission (refiled annually), at least 20 feet from a bus stop, at least three feet from a building unless the sidewalk is 11 feet wide or more, and at least ten feet from a fire hydrant. Vending near schools is barred within 300 feet from an hour before classes start until an hour after dismissal. m.

Before setting up, a vendor must hold a City of Jackson business permit, a Mississippi Department of Health food permit, and $500,000 in liability insurance naming the city as additional insured, then pay the Section 66-78(c) fee: $300 for a mobile food preparation vehicle, $150 for a pushcart, or $300 per event for a tent, renewable annually.