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Greenville committee approves mobile food unit zoning rules after safety briefing from fire marshal
Summary
Committee approved a text amendment defining mobile food units and setting conditional-use requirements (nightly removal, tent and generator limits, property-owner permission, fire inspections). Fire Marshal JJ Arrowood endorsed the rules and cited past inspections and incidents.
Greenville County’s Planning & Development Committee on Aug. 18 approved a text amendment to add a mobile food unit definition and conditions to the zoning ordinance, establishing where food trucks may operate and what safety and site rules they must follow.
Staff (Speaker 9) said the amendment adds a mobile food unit definition and places the use as conditional in several districts, with conditions that include removal of units nightly (except for multi-day special events), a 400-square-foot tent limit without temporary tent permits, property-owner permission for on-site operation, compliance with Greenville County noise and sign ordinances, trash removal requirements, and a requirement that any generator be located at least 50 feet from residential parcels. The measure also requires business registration and up-to-date fire inspections.
JJ Arrowood, fire marshal for the Berea Fire Department, told the committee the rules grew out of safety inspections and incidents. "Mobile food units have become increasingly popular, adding vibrance to my community," he said, and described inspections that led to temporary closures of noncompliant units and cited past incidents including attempted vandalism and collisions that damaged vehicles and nearby utility infrastructure. Arrowood said consistent safety standards and inspections would protect vendors and the public.
Committee members asked whether the ordinance imposes a new fee; staff and the fire marshal said there is no separate county inspection fee for the fire-sticker program (the Greenville County Fire Chiefs Association funds and distributes stickers and inspections are renewed annually). Members also discussed whether setbacks should be expressly stated; staff explained that setbacks typically apply to permanent structures and that the conditions address obstructions, parking, and buffer concerns instead.
The committee voted to approve the text amendment. The ordinance language will be placed on the County Council agenda for final consideration.
