The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved changes to its food truck ordinances that leaders say will streamline the application process and expand the locations in which the businesses may operate.

“This has been something we’ve discussed at city hall for quite some time, and I’m very glad to see these amendments put in place. I think it will greatly benefit our vendors and residents alike,” Council President Darrell O’Quinn said. “We know it was difficult for our food truck owners, especially if there was a special event or something like that with short notice … . The whole purpose of these changes are aimed at making it easier for people to operate a food truck in Birmingham because we see that as not only beneficial for tax revenue purposes but also because it adds to the character of the city and our renowned local food scene.”

Now, food trucks are allowed in only a handful of locations in the city. Once the new amendments take effect at the beginning of the year, however, the city will allow the businesses to park and operate at any metered space in Birmingham. Previously existing regulations, such as not operating within 150 feet of an existing restaurant, will remain in effect, according to city staff.

The council passed the first food truck regulations in 2014. During that first year, Birmingham saw 10 applicants. That’s compared to 192 this year, according to city staff.

“So we’re at the 10-year mark and the landscape of food trucks in our city has changed dramatically from the start of the process that was set up in the current ordinance,” said Paige Ishmael, senior planner with the Birmingham Department of Transportation.

Ishmael told the council Tuesday that city employees worked extensively with food truck owners, local businesses and merchants’ associations to make the application process faster.

Before the recent changes, the city offered several types of food truck permits, which vendors told city staff complicated the application process. Now there will be only one permit. The fee for the permit will also be fixed at $200. Currently, they range from $300 to $500 based on the permit type.

Ishmael said officials hope the ordinance changes will decrease application times from two to three months to 48 hours.

All food truck permits expire on Dec. 31, and city officials hope the new process will be in place by Jan. 2.

According to city staff, the steps for obtaining a permit and business license for a food truck following Tuesday’s amendments goes as follows:

• Operators must get a fire inspection from the Birmingham Fire Department.
• They must then obtain a Jefferson County Department of Health permit.
• Vendors will need to visit the Birmingham Department of Transportation Office at City Hall to fill out an application and conditions form.