Northampton County approves new food truck ordinance

Northampton County Supervisors approved a proposed zoning text amendment that established new regulations for food trucks and canteen trucks operating in the county’s unincorporated areas.

The proposal creates new definitions for food trucks, canteen trucks, mobile food courts, and vehicles, and adds a new section governing their permitted locations, hours of operation, and safety requirements. Since the draft was last reviewed, staff removed a provision restricting extension-cord use inside food trucks and added clarifications on propane tank limits, trash can requirements, and rules for open-flame cooking, which would now require approval from the State Fire Marshal, said County Zoning Administrator Mike Starling. No individual propane cylinder could exceed 100 pounds, and the combined total of all cylinders would be capped at 200 pounds, a correction from earlier language that had caused confusion.

Much of the board’s discussion centered on overnight parking, signage, propane storage, and how the ordinance applies to private events. Supervisor Betsy Mapp questioned language that stated that no food truck could park overnight unless the vehicle was registered in the same name as the owner of the property. She said the rule was too restrictive, citing common scenarios where family members or business partners might reasonably park a vehicle without matching ownership names. Staff agreed to revise the language to allow overnight parking with the property owner’s permission.

Supervisor John Coker also requested clarification on what constitutes a “sign” versus a “mural,” noting that many trucks paint menus or branding directly onto the vehicle. Starling said these painted or decal-style graphics would be considered murals and allowed to exceed the 20-square-foot sign limit, whereas removable signs hung from the vehicle would still be regulated as signage.

Starling clarified that the 100-foot setback requirement from dwellings does not apply to private, pre-arranged events such as weddings, parties, or neighborhood gatherings. Residential subdivisions hosting private catered events would therefore remain exempt. Required health permits issued by the Virginia Department of Health must also be visibly displayed on the truck.

The proposed rules also set operating hours: food trucks could operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., while canteen trucks would be permitted to begin as early as 6 a.m. to better serve construction sites and agricultural operations.

After a brief public hearing and reviewing additional changes, the Board of Supervisors voted to approve the amended ordinance language.