TO: Indian River County Board of County Commissioners
THROUGH: John A. Titkanich Jr., County Administrator
FROM: Brandon C. Creagan, LEED Green Associate; Chief, Current Development
DATE: December 22, 2025
SUBJECT: Consideration of Staff-Initiated Land Development Regulation (LDR) Amendments to Create Allowances and Regulations for Mobile Food Dispensing Vehicles (Food Trucks) (Legislative)
BACKGROUND
Since the early 1990’s, Mobile Food Dispensing Vehicles (or food trucks) in Unincorporated Indian River County have generally been limited to special events and certain specific areas of the County (such as the Gifford Farmers Market area which was created in 2016).
Over the past few years, food trucks have become more popular and common throughout the state and country. Also, in 2020 and 2023, the State of Florida adopted certain statutes that preempt local governments from imposing their own licensing or fees; however, local governments may regulate food trucks with respect to location (zoning), hours of operation, site compatibility, and aesthetic standards. Therefore, staff has prepared a set of LDR amendments in order to create clearer allowances and regulations for food trucks.
ANALYSIS
The proposed set of LDR amendments are consistent with concepts that were presented to the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) at their July 15, 2025 meeting, and are consistent with Section 509.102, Florida Statutes (FS). In summary, the first LDR amendment creates a formal definition for mobile food dispensing vehicles (food trucks), and that definition is a verbatim definition of the one provided in Section 509.102, FS.
The second LDR amendment creates a new subsection within Section 911.15, General provisions. Subsection (a) Purpose and intent, restates the definition and statutory reference. Subsection (b) Applicability, confirms that the proposed regulations are applicable to food trucks within Unincorporated Indian River County. Subsection (c) State preemp...
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