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Harris County health official outlines proposed Pine Mountain food‑truck ordinance
Summary
Sandy Wilson of the Harris County Health Department presented a draft Pine Mountain ordinance that would require permits, written property‑owner and restroom agreements, all‑weather parking, and limits on overnight parking and amplified sound; the town will revise the draft before adoption.
Sandy Wilson, a public‑health official with the Harris County Health Department, presented a draft food‑truck ordinance to Pine Mountain elected officials at a Feb. 19 work session, outlining operational and permitting rules intended to protect public health and neighboring properties.
Wilson told the council that mobile food vendors must comply with local and state permitting requirements and maintain all required Harris County, State of Georgia and federal licenses. She summarized specific provisions in the town’s draft ordinance, including prohibiting vendors from operating in the public right‑of‑way, requiring trucks to park on all‑weather surfaces, and preventing food trucks from becoming permanent structures.
The draft would ban amplified announcements while trucks are traveling or stationary, require operators to remove all generated waste daily and prohibit disposal of liquid waste or grease into tree pits, storm drains, sidewalks or streets. Trucks would need an on‑truck fresh water supply to maintain sanitary operations, and vendors must obtain written approval from property owners before staging on private property. Wilson also noted a requirement that a working restroom be available within 200 feet of the vending location and that vendors secure a written restroom agreement allowing access for employees.
Wilson explained permitting steps: vendors must apply for a Base of Operation permit and a unit/truck permit from the health department in their home county and then obtain authorization from the health department in the outside county where they intend to operate. For overnight parking where allowed by zoning, the draft sets a minimum site size of five acres on non‑commercial/industrial property and requires Special Use Approval.
No formal action was taken at the work session. Town officials present said the town has a proposed ordinance drafted but will need to reconsider some rules before adopting it. According to the session record, the work session opened at 10:00 A.M. and ended at approximately 11:15 A.M.
The town's draft ordinance references Harris County and state public‑health requirements; the work session record does not show a formal vote or a scheduled date for adoption. Officials indicated the draft will return for further review before any adoption vote.
