Texas State Law Set to Override Haltom City's Restrictive Food Truck Regulations

Haltom City's restrictive food truck regulations, which have effectively driven mobile vendors out of the city, face potential override by a new statewide initiative set to take effect in July 2026. Texas House Bill 2844, known as the "Mobile Food Vendor Regulatory Consistency Act," passed on June 20, 2025 and was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott, establishing a single statewide license that eliminates local rules and fees that have hampered food truck operations.

The current Haltom City permit application is a four-page, single-spaced document filled with legal terminology that requires notarization before approval. Permits cost $250 and must be renewed annually, with one particularly burdensome requirement being written permission from the property owner where the truck will operate. This provision has proven especially challenging for food truck operators, as property owners of shopping centers and strip malls often have little incentive to provide such authorization.

Haltom United Business Alliance Communications Director Joe Palmer expressed optimism about the new legislation. "Mobile food vendors are valuable small businesses, and Haltom City leaders need to do everything in their power to encourage them," Palmer said. "Now that state lawmakers have passed legislation eliminating the burdensome permits and unnecessary fees, food truck owners can funnel their time, energy and money into improving and expanding their businesses."

The decline in food truck participation began several years ago when city council members passed ordinances with complicated and demanding regulations. One council member even stated that food trucks competed with local restaurants, revealing bias against mobile vendors. Since the implementation of these rules, the number of food trucks applying for permits has steadily declined, forcing residents who want food trucks for special events like weddings or festivals to either go to other cities or navigate the cumbersome requirements.

Back in 2021, when city leaders held a public hearing on the permitting regulations, Haltom United Business Alliance objected, warning that the restrictive laws would create insurmountable roadblocks for food trucks wanting to do business in Haltom City. The organization maintained that the regulations were counterproductive to small business growth in the community.

While the new state law promises relief for food truck operators, Palmer expressed some concern about potential resistance from local officials. "To a certain extent, the law preserves a little bit of local control," Palmer noted. "It still allows cities to continue enforcing rules on how, when and where food trucks are allowed to set up shop. We'll have to wait and see how Haltom City handles this, especially the part about requiring the property owner's permission to operate."

The implementation of Texas House Bill 2844 represents a significant shift in mobile food vendor regulation across the state, with the Texas Department of State Health Services now responsible for issuing uniform licenses that allow mobile vendors to operate throughout Texas. This change could potentially bring diverse dining options back to Haltom City events and public spaces while supporting small business entrepreneurs who have been effectively excluded from the local market under current regulations.