Terrebonne Parish Council rejects ordinance to allow mobile food trucks on parish property after extended debate

The Terrebonne Parish Council debated a proposed amendment to parish code that would regulate mobile food truck vendors on parish-owned property and in the historic downtown area at its Nov. 20, 2024 meeting. After extended public comment and council discussion, a motion to adopt the ordinance failed on a council vote of 3 in favor, 5 opposed and 1 abstention.

The proposed ordinance would have revised chapter 16 (section 16-56) of the Terrebonne Parish code to regulate mobile food trucks, require registration of each mobile unit, provide for noncommercial rental discounts and limit fee waivers at civic facilities. The council record shows the ordinance included rules about registration, a $100-per-unit annual license fee and the authority to revoke registration for health, tax or code violations. Supporters argued the ordinance would increase foot traffic downtown, incubate food businesses and allow controlled, permitted use of parish property; opponents warned it could undermine historic-district aesthetics and compete with brick-and-mortar restaurants.

Councilman Pledger described meetings with restaurant owners and food-truck operators and cited studies he said showed increased foot traffic benefits downtown businesses: “When you look at more food trucks, it actually promotes… more restaurants because more people come downtown,” he said. Councilman Trosclair said he opposed allowing food trucks on parish-owned public property: “I don’t think we should be allowing mobile food trucks on parish owned property…on public property, unless it’s a permitted special event.” Several council members said they had met with stakeholders and that the ordinance included a one-day limit for use of the government tower property to address concerns from nearby businesses.

During public comment and council discussion, members raised operational questions: where food trucks would park, whether they would be allowed inside the historic downtown boundary, and whether a downtown food-truck pilot or monthly event would be preferable. Council members noted examples from other cities and said regulations could include limited hours (some cities restrict downtown trucks to late-night hours when restaurants are closed), but the ordinance presented that evening did not include such a late-night rule.

The council first voted 6–2 to close the public hearing. When put to a final vote to adopt the ordinance, the motion failed (3 ayes, 5 nays, 1 abstention). No amendment to the code passed that night.