Food Trucks

The Town of Knightdale recognizes that food trucks are an exciting and integral part of our community's sense of place.  As such, a permit process has been created for food trucks to operate safely in Town.

Definition:  A food truck is a licensed motorized vehicle or mobile unit which is temporarily stored on a private or public owned property where food items are sold to the public

Food Truck Process

1. Food Truck vendors will complete the Food Truck Permit Application and submit to Town Hall for review
2. Pay the Food Truck Permit Fee (found in the Town of Knightdale Fee Schedule)
3. Receive a Town of Knightdale Food Truck Permit Sticker
4. Place the Permit Sticker on the serving window side of the food truck
5. The Permit Sticker must:
   1. Always be visible
   2. Be permanently adhered to the food truck
   3. Not be altered

Permitted Food Truck Locations

1. Several locations on Town Property will have designated Food Truck Parking places:
   1. Knightdale Station Park
   2. Harper Park
   3. Wake Stone Athletic Park
2. On Town Property, Food Trucks may not operate outside of designated parking spots
3. Commercial Properties with an existing retail/restaurant, office/service, or entertainment/recreation use
   1. Must have written permission from Property Owner
4. Please follow the guidelines with the Food Truck Requirements section.  Failure to do so may result in revocation of the Food Truck Permit without refund

Town Event Selection Process

1. Purchasing the yearly permit allows food trucks to be entered into the selection lottery process to attend Town sponsored events.  A random number generator will be used to make selections.  When a food truck is selected, they receive priority to attend the designated standard event.  Attending a standard event removes them from consideration for future standard events, until all permitted food trucks have their number drawn.  If facing a limited participation of food trucks for an event, we reserve the right to reach out to non-permitted food trucks.  Standard event participation does not affect special event lottery process.
2. At any time, the Parks and Recreation Department reserves the right to select food trucks that closely fit the theme of the standard/special event whether the food truck is permitted or not (i.e., Latin American Festival, African-American Festival).
3. Special Events include, but are not limited to:  Latin American Festival, July 4th, the Arts & Education Festival, Christmas on First Avenue, and Christmas Parade.
4. Designated parking spots on Town Property will not be available during Town sponsored events.
5. Permit does not guarantee a spot for events but will qualify the business for event lotteries.

Food Truck Requirements

1. Food Trucks may be permitted on a parcel with an existing retail/restaurant, office/service, or entertainment/recreation use
2. Each food truck must have an individual permit
3. A maximum number of food trucks per commercial parcel:
   1. Two (2) food trucks shall be allowed on parcels less than 1 acre in size
   2. Three (3) food trucks shall be allowed on parcels between 1 acre up to 2 acres in size
   3. Four (4) food trucks shall be allowed on parcels greater than 2 acres in size
   4. Additional food trucks may be allowed at special events with prior permission
4. Food trucks shall locate only within the side or rear yard.  No food truck shall locate in a front yard.
5. Food trucks shall be located at least one hundred (100) feet from the customer entrance of an existing restaurant.
6. A food truck shall locate:
   1. Fifteen (15) feet from any fire hydrant
   2. Five (5) feet from any driveway, accessible ramp, emergency call box, or building entrance/exit
7. The operator must provide a waste receptacle for customer use within fifteen (15) feet of the food truck.  The operator shall remove all trash at the end of its operating hours.
8. Town of Knightdale trash receptacles may not be used to dispose trash or waste generated by a food truck
9. Grease or other liquid waste shall not be disposed of in tree pits, storm drains, the sanitary sewer system, or public streets
10. Temporary connections to potable water systems shall be prohibited
11. At least one (1) fire extinguisher shall be located on board the food truck during operation
12. Hours of operation shall be limited to between 7:00 am - 10:00 pm unless otherwise posted
    1. The operator shall provide appropriate on-site lighting in compliance with any applicable standards of Section 7.7 if operating after sunset
13. One (1) Sandwich Board sign shall be allowed subject to the requirements of Section 8.4 (F)
14. Food trucks shall not use audio amplification devices
15. Food trucks shall not operate a drive-thru service window or door
16. Food trucks are subject to a Town-wide noise ordinance
17. A permit issued for a food truck shall be valid for the twelve (12) month period beginning January 1 and ending December 31.
    1. Permit costs are not prorated

Other Uses:  The administrator may issue other temporary uses and activities, or special events including specific time limits, if it is determined that such uses are clearly of a temporary nature, and will not jeopardize the health, safety, or general welfare, or be injurious or detrimental to properties adjacent to, or in the vicinity of, the proposed location of the activity.

Quick Links:

Food Truck Permit Application