State Law Paves Way for Food Trucks to Return to Haltom City Streets

The passage of Texas House Bill 2844, known as the "Mobile Food Vendor Regulatory Consistency Act," promises to bring food trucks back to Haltom City streets by establishing a uniform statewide licensing system that overrides local regulations that have effectively banned mobile vendors from operating within city limits. Governor Greg Abbott signed the legislation into law on June 20, 2025, with implementation scheduled for July 1, 2026, marking a significant shift in food truck regulation across Texas.

Haltom City's current permit system has created substantial barriers for mobile food vendors through complex requirements that have steadily reduced food truck participation in recent years. The city's four-page, single-spaced application is laden with legal terminology that must be read, signed, and notarized before approval, with permits costing $250 and requiring annual renewal. One particularly challenging provision demands written permission from property owners where food trucks intend to operate—a requirement that often proves difficult or impossible to fulfill, especially when dealing with absentee property owners of shopping centers or strip malls.

The Haltom United Business Alliance had previously objected to these restrictions during a 2021 public hearing, warning that the regulations would create insurmountable roadblocks for food trucks seeking to do business in the city. HUBA Communications Director Joe Palmer expressed optimism about the new state legislation, stating that "mobile food vendors are valuable small businesses, and Haltom City leaders need to do everything in their power to encourage them." Palmer added that "now that state lawmakers have passed legislation eliminating the burdensome permits and unnecessary fees, food truck owners can funnel their time, energy and money into improving and expanding their businesses."

The new law establishes a single statewide license for food trucks through the Texas Department of State Health Services, eliminating the patchwork of local rules and fees that have created operational challenges for mobile vendors across Texas. This regulatory consistency is expected to reduce administrative burdens and costs for small business owners while creating new economic opportunities in communities like Haltom City that have historically maintained restrictive local ordinances.

However, Palmer noted that some local control remains under the new law, particularly regarding rules governing when and where food trucks can operate. "We'll have to wait and see how Haltom City handles this, especially the part about requiring the property owner's permission to operate," he added. The legislation represents a broader trend toward regulatory standardization in Texas, potentially opening new markets for mobile food vendors and increasing consumer choice while supporting small business growth in the food service industry.

The impact of this legislative change extends beyond individual business owners to the broader Texas economy, as streamlined regulations could encourage more entrepreneurs to enter the mobile food industry and expand existing operations. For Haltom City residents and businesses, the return of food trucks promises increased dining options, potential economic spillover effects for surrounding businesses, and enhanced community vibrancy through mobile food events and gatherings.