Permit required for mobile food vending.
Hattiesburg Code of Ordinances § 32-218
in effectSec. 32-218. - Permit required for mobile food vending.
(a) All mobile food vendors must obtain and maintain a permit that includes all locations where the owner of the mobile vending unit intends to operate. All applications for permit renewal must be filed yearly. The application shall be made with Planning Division of the Department of Urban Development. The application may be reviewed by any department of the city as may be necessary or convenient to determine whether the application is complete or whether the permit should be granted. Permit applications shall contain the following information:
(1) The name, mailing address, physical address, telephone number, and email address of the applicant. If any applicant is anything other than a natural person, then all documents related to the creation and maintenance of the entity such as articles of incorporation and any similar relevant documents shall be included.
(2) A valid privilege tax license (PTL) or equal from a city or county within the state.
(3) A food service permit from the state department of health.
(4) All mobile pushcarts and mobile food preparation vehicles shall provide a state tax number issued by the state department of revenue.
(5) Approval from the city fire inspector.
(6) A City of Hattiesburg Property Owner Consent Form for each proposed location of operation.
(7) All permit applicants must operate under a central kitchen within Forrest or Lamar County that is approved by the state department of health for food service. A mobile food preparation vehicle may be certified by the state department of health as a central kitchen. The city must approve the location where the applicant will dispose of grease and wastewater.
(8) A list of products to be sold.
(9) A site plan showing the proposed location of the mobile vending unit for each private parcel. Additional locations may be added at any time after initial permit approval, provided the locations meet the requirements of this article.
(10) Proof of a valid business insurance policy that provides minimum liability coverage of $500,000.00 per mobile vending unit, with the city named as an additional insured.
(11) A written indemnity agreement that will hold harmless the city, its officers, and employees, for any loss or liability or damage, including costs, for bodily injury or property damage sustained by a person as a result of the negligent installation, use, or maintenance of a permitted space.
(12) Copies of all letters and other notices from any governmental, quasi-governmental, professional, or business association or entity, related directly or indirectly to alleged or actual improper conduct in the food service business, issued to the applicant or any person who will have responsibility for operations of the mobile vending unit for which a permit is requested. Include all related response and follow up documents showing any result, finding or action.
(13) The dates, jurisdiction, court, and disposition of the following:
a. All felony charges related to the applicant or any principal of the applicant; and
b. All misdemeanors and violations directly or indirectly related to food, food preparation, permit operations, and/or business operations, related to the applicant or any principal of the applicant.
(14) A police background screen for the city and from the jurisdiction of the applicant's residence, if different from the city.
(15) Such other additional information required by law, rule, or ordinance, or that any department of the city or city council, or the permit applicant reasonably deems appropriate to assist the city in determining whether the permit should be granted. The applicant shall be provided reasonable time to supplement the application. The city reserves the right to deny any permit request it deems to be a danger to public health, welfare, and safety based on the information provided in the application.
(b) Permits cost shall be an annual fee in the amount now or hereafter established by the city. Permit fees for applications received on or after July 1 will be an annual fee in the amount now or hereafter established by the city. Subsequent annual renewals are due on January 1 of each year.
(c) Permit holders may be required to remove private materials or accessories to allow utility access for emergency and maintenance operation, or both.
(d) This permit does not allow permit holders to operate in affiliation with city appointed special events without the authorization from the special event organizers.
(e) The permit must be displayed on the mobile vending unit at all times.
(f) Permits are non-transferable, unless subsection (g) of this section applies.
(g) A damaged or destroyed unit may be replaced if and only if approval for its replacement is obtained from the Department of Urban Development. Any such replacement unit must be of substantially the same type, size, and dimension and with the same general characteristics as the original. Such replacement may be disallowed if the original vendor permit would not have approved the use of the replacement unit.
(h) Any permit granted pursuant to this article shall be nonexclusive. The city may grant any number of such permits as the city deems appropriate. The granting of a permit shall not limit or abridge any power or authority of the city and shall not limit the authority of the city to commence appropriate civil, criminal, or other enforcement actions. The city retains full authority to amend the ordinances, rules and regulations that apply to any permit.
(i) The city may revoke and terminate the permit in the event the vendor violates any term, condition, or provision of the permit, this Code and/or zoning ordinances, state and/or federal law, or if the permit/license issued by the city for the permitted activity is revoked. The procedures for revoking or terminating a permit shall be the same as revoking or terminating a permit/license. The revocation may be sought as a remedy in a civil action. The vendor may terminate or surrender the permit at will any time prior to the expiration of the permit by providing written notice to the Planning Division of the Department of Urban Development. Termination of the permit shall not operate to relieve the vendor of the obligation to release, hold harmless, and indemnify the city and its officers, agents, and employees.
(Ord. No. 3286, § 3, 1-19-2021)
Source: City of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Code of Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ms/hattiesburg/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH32LIPEMIBURE_ARTIXFOTR_S32-218PEREMOFOVEFetched: 11/1/2026