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Council adopts mobile‑food vendor rules aligned with new state law; sets 200‑ft/250‑ft separations
Summary
Responding to HB 2844 (effective 01/01/2026), La Porte adopted §106‑312 limiting local zoning for mobile food vendors: location standards, noise controls, 200‑ft minimum from residential structures, and 250‑ft separation between vendors, with exemptions for city/county/LPISD events and food truck parks.
La Porte adopted new rules for mobile food vendors intended to comply with the state’s food‑truck preemption law while retaining limited local zoning controls.
Ryan Vitlick, director of planning and development, said the ordinance implements provisions of House Bill 2844 (the "food truck freedom" bill), which preempts most local permitting and gives the state primary authority for permitting and health inspections while allowing cities to adopt narrow zoning standards. The city’s new §106‑312 would permit mobile food vendors on private property within general commercial, business industrial, light industrial, heavy industrial and, by Planning & Zoning recommendation, the Main Street District; it would require permanent business presence on the lot, a covered garbage facility, compliance with the International Fire Code, and prohibit drive‑through service. Minimum separation requirements include 200 feet from residential structures and 250 feet between mobile vendors. Exemptions include city/county/La Porte ISD‑sponsored special events and operations within a food truck park, which staff said should be studied further.
During public comment Philip Hoot questioned whether the two‑hour exemption for residential visits should be limited in frequency; staff noted the exemption applies to vendors operating on private property for two hours or less and that the planning commission recommended including a residential short‑term exemption.
