City of Jackson, Planning and Development Department, Office of City Planning, Zoning Division

Mobile Food Vendor License

Jackson's Code of Ordinances sets this fee directly. Section 66-78(c) prices a permit at $300.00 for a mobile food preparation vehicle, $150.00 for a mobile pushcart and $300.00 per event for a mobile tent, and vehicle and pushcart permits renew annually for the same fee. That subsection was last amended by Ordinance No. 2025-38(17), adopted October 21, 2025, which the Council's agenda for that meeting lists as adding the mobile tent class and establishing fees for each class of vendor. The City's earlier application form (September 2021 revision) charged $500 per mobile vending unit, so older figures of $500 predate the current fees. A separate permit is needed for each unit. The ordinance directs applications to the Zoning Division, and the City now takes them through its OpenGov portal. Each application must include a valid City of Jackson business permit, a Mississippi State Department of Health food vending permit, a scaled sketch or photographs of the unit, a list of products, proof of $500,000 in liability insurance naming the City as an additional insured, and a signed indemnity agreement (§ 66-78(a)). The portal's checklist adds a Jackson Fire Department fire inspection permit, a Fats, Oils and Grease inspection completed within the application, a location map, and notarized property-owner consent for each proposed site. Every applicant must operate an existing licensed restaurant in Jackson or have a central kitchen approved by the Mississippi State Department of Health (§ 66-79(x)). Units may operate only in approved areas, between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. unless an event permit sets other hours, and at least 300 feet from the entrance of any non-mobile business selling food unless that business gives notarized written permission (§ 66-79). Operating without a permit carries a $500.00 fine and impoundment of equipment (§ 66-81). Because § 66-79(o) requires every permitted unit to be a licensed City of Jackson business, the general Business Privilege License recorded above applies in addition to this permit.