Skip to main content

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.

 

2025 Food Truck Permits will be available for purchase beginning January 2.  

 

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. Wake Stone Athletic Park
    3. Harper Park
  2. Food Truck Parking spaces at Knightdale Station Park and Harper Park, must be reserved online at https://knightdale.recdesk.com/Community/Facility
    1. Reservation Instructions
    2. Food Trucks who are parked without a reservation will be asked to leave
  3. On Town Property, Food Trucks may not operate outside of designated parking spots
  4. Commercial Properties with an existing retail/restaurant, office/service, or entertainment/recreation use
    1. Must have written permission from Property Owner
  5. 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. Events are broken down into two categories: Standard Events and Special Events.
  2. Lottery System: A random number generator will be used to make selections from the Standard Event lottery list or the Special Event lottery list. When a food truck is selected, they receive priority to attend the designated event. Selections will be made by main food category to ensure a variety of food selections at each event. If facing a limited participation of food trucks for any event, the Town reserves the right to reach out to non-permitted food trucks.
    1. Once a food truck is selected for a Standard Event, it will not be considered for another Standard Event until all other permitted trucks have had a chance to be selected. Standard Event participation does not affect eligibility for Special Event participation.
      1. Standard events include, but are not limited to: Splash Pad Bash, Movie in the Park, Harper Hour, Arts & Education Festival, Fall on First Avenue, and Kick or Treat the Trail.
    2. Once a food truck is selected for a Special Event, it will not be considered for another Special Event until all other permitted trucks have had a chance to be selected. Special Event participation does not affect eligibility for Standard Event participation.
      1. Special Events include, but are not limited to: Latin American Festival, African American Festival, Fourth on First Ave, and Christmas Parade.
    3. After being selected for an event, the food truck must pay a deposit to hold their space. The deposit must be paid within five business days of receiving the selection notice. If the deposit is not paid on time, or if the food truck is unavailable, another truck will be selected from the lottery. The original food truck will be placed back into the lottery pool for future selections. All event selection notifications will be sent via email.
  3. At any time, the Town reserves the right to select food trucks that closely fit the theme of the Standard/Special Event regardless of lottery or whether the food truck is permitted (i.e., Latin American Festival, African American Festival).
  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 be located at least one hundred (100) feet from the customer entrance of an existing restaurant.
  5. 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
  6. 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.
  7. Town of Knightdale trash receptacles may not be used to dispose trash or waste generated by a food truck
  8. Grease or other liquid waste shall not be disposed of in tree pits, storm drains, the sanitary sewer system, or public streets
  9. Temporary connections to potable water systems shall be prohibited
  10. At least one (1) fire extinguisher shall be located on board the food truck during operation
  11. 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
  12. One (1) Sandwich Board sign shall be allowed subject to the requirements of Section 8.4 (F)
  13. Food trucks shall not use audio amplification devices
  14. Food trucks shall not operate a drive-thru service window or door
  15. Food trucks are subject to a Town-wide noise ordinance
  16. 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