(a) 
Except as provided in subsection (b), a term defined by Texas Administrative Code title 25, part 1, chapter 228, (Texas Food Establishment Rules) has the same meaning in this article.
(b) 
In this article:
Central preparation facility.
A facility that is an approved and permitted retail food establishment at which food is prepared, stored, and wrapped; and the food truck is supplied with fresh water and ice; and emptied of wastewater into a proper waste disposal system, and cleaned, including washing, rinsing, and sanitizing of those food-contact surfaces or items not capable of being immersed in the mobile food unit utensil-washing sink. Use of a private residence as a central preparation facility is prohibited.
City.
The City of Cameron, Texas.
City manager.
The city manager of the city, his designee, or the department the city manager tasks to fulfill the requirements of this article.
Food establishment rules.
Title 25 of the Texas Administrative Code, part 1, chapter 228, (“Texas Food Establishment Rules”).
Food truck.
Food preparation facilities that are contained on a vehicle or trailer mounted, self or otherwise propelled, self-contained food service operation, designed to be readily and easily movable at all times, that is used to store, prepare, display, serve or sell food. The area equipped for food preparation must be completely contained in the food truck and completely separated from the driving cab. Catering trucks, food trailers, and pushcarts as defined by TSDHS are considered food trucks. Food trucks selling only prepackaged ice cream items are allowed for only mobile use (not stationary) in residential zones of the city with permission from the city council. A food truck is a mobile food establishment.
Mobile food establishment.
A unit that may serve prepackaged food in individual servings, beverages that are not potentially hazardous and are dispensed from covered urns or other protected vessels, packaged frozen foods, and may cook, prepare and assemble a full menu of food items. When not in operation the unit must be secured and completely enclosed.
TSDHS.
The Texas Department of Health and Human Services.
Unsafe food.
(1) 
Food that contains any chemical, poisonous or injurious substance which may be harmful to the health of a consumer;
(2) 
Food that is not packaged in conformity with this chapter;
(3) 
Food that contains a contaminated or putrid substance; or
(4) 
Food that has been prepared, packed or held under unsanitary conditions whereby it may have become contaminated, or may have been rendered diseased, unwholesome, or harmful to health.
(Ordinance 2017-05-01-007 adopted 5/1/17)
(a) 
A person may not manufacture for supply, possess with intent to supply, display, sell, or supply, with or without charge, any food that is unsafe or misbranded.
(b) 
All food shall be prepared, packaged, transported and supplied in compliance with this article.
(c) 
A person operating a mobile food establishment shall comply with this article and the city adopts the provisions of Texas Administrative Code title 25, part 1, chapter 228.
(d) 
A mobile food establishment shall comply with Texas Administrative Code title 25, part 1, chapter 228 (“Texas Food Establishment Rules”), as amended, and be inspected and licensed accordingly.
(e) 
Designs, advertising and logos on the food trucks must be compatible with location or the permit may be denied. Only signage attached to the unit or small sandwich boards placed in close proximity to the unit are allowed.
(f) 
Food trucks are not permitted to block fire hydrants or obscure rights-of-way.
(g) 
Food trucks must comply with city noise ordinances. Food truck noise levels must be compatible with locations. Noise ordinances for locations in or near residential zones will be strictly enforced. Any sound or music broadcast from the food truck must be appropriate for the location as determined by the city. Vendors must cease broadcasting music or sounds when requested by the city.
(h) 
Operations of a mobile food establishment must cease and the food truck must be removed from the location when the permit issued pursuant to this article is revoked, suspended, or expired.
(Ordinance 2017-05-01-007 adopted 5/1/17)
(a) 
A person who seeks to operate a mobile food establishment must submit to the city manager a written application for a permit on a form provided by the city manager. The application must include:
(1) 
Name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address of the applicant and the applicant’s identification number as shown on a current and valid government-issued identification document that includes a photograph of the applicant;
(2) 
Make, model, vehicle identification number, license number, dimensions of the vehicle, and the type of vehicle to be used for the proposed mobile food establishment;
(3) 
Address and/or physical location of the central preparation facility utilized by the applicant, if applicable;
(4) 
Tax identification number of the applicant and proof of sales tax and use permit;
(5) 
Proof of insurance;
(6) 
Copy of health inspection and license required by the Texas Food Establishment Rules;
(7) 
Dates and times of operation of the mobile food establishment;
(8) 
Photographs of truck/trailer, all sides, depicting designs, advertising, logos, table and chair setup, and queue area;
(9) 
An itinerary of locations where sales occur;
(10) 
Other information required by the city manager;
(11) 
The signature of each applicant;
(12) 
The fee for the permit;
(13) 
A plan to dispose of grease or other liquid waste must be presented to the city to determine the frequency and location of an appropriate waste disposal receptor;
(14) 
A notarized statement from the property owner granting applicant permission to locate a food truck on the property if the food truck is not owned by the property owner; and
(15) 
If at one location for more than two hours, a written agreement from a business within 150 feet for employees of the mobile food establishment to have use of flushable restrooms (or other facilities as approved by the city manager) during hours of operation.
(b) 
If eligible for issuance, the city manager shall provide the permit holder a sticker or other document that indicates the permit expiration date.
(c) 
A person operating a mobile food establishment shall promptly display the sticker on the unit where it is readily visible (as designated by the city manager).
(Ordinance 2017-05-01-007 adopted 5/1/17)
(a) 
The city manager may suspend or revoke a mobile food establishment permit if the city manager determines that:
(1) 
An applicant obtained the mobile food establishment by knowingly providing false information on the application;
(2) 
A person is infected with or is a carrier of any foodborne communicable disease; or
(3) 
The continuation of the person’s mobile food establishment permit presents a significant public health threat.
(b) 
A permit may be revoked for nonconformity to the application location specifications or requirements as well as to nonconformity to an approved location plan or diagram.
(c) 
A permit may be suspended or revoked for not complying with the requirements of this article, or any other ordinances, or laws.
(d) 
At the sole discretion of the city manager, the city manager may declare that food trucks no longer add to the vibrancy of the city or public interest; and revoke all permits issued pursuant to this article in the city with a 30-day written notice to the permittees of record. In such event, the city shall return the unused pro-rata portion of the annual fee. Revocation pursuant to this subsection is final and unappealable.
(Ordinance 2017-05-01-007 adopted 5/1/17)
(a) 
The notice of revocation, suspension, or denial of a permit shall include the procedure for appealing the suspension, revocation, or denial.
(b) 
If the city manager revokes, suspends or denies a mobile food establishment permit, the holder or applicant of the permit which has been revoked, suspended, or denied shall have the right of appeal to the city council of the city by submitting an appeal in writing to the city manager within ten (10) business days of the revocation, suspension, or denial.
(c) 
Pending action on the appeal, a permit which has been revoked or suspended shall be considered revoked or suspended.
(d) 
If a written appeal is not submitted within ten (10) business day of revocation, suspension, or denial, or if the appeal is denied, the permit shall hence be considered revoked, suspended, or denied.
(Ordinance 2017-05-01-007 adopted 5/1/17)
(a) 
If a mobile food establishment or applicant is not in compliance with this article or any other ordinances, laws, or the approved application, the following actions will be taken:
(1) 
1st violation.
A warning may be issued, or the permit may be revoked or suspended and the vendor may become ineligible for new or reissued permit for three (3) months.
(2) 
2nd violation.
Permit will be revoked and the vendor may become ineligible for new or reissued permit for three (3) months.
(3) 
3rd violation.
Permit will be revoked and the vendor will become ineligible for new or reissued permit for one (1) year.
(b) 
If an applicant’s permit has been denied and the appeal is denied the applicant may not reapply for three (3) months.
(Ordinance 2017-05-01-007 adopted 5/1/17)
(a) 
If a person who operates a mobile food establishment maintains food at a hot holding temperature by mechanical means, that person shall comply with fire and explosion safety standards established by the city manager and city codes.
(b) 
If a person uses a pressurized fuel system or container in conjunction with the mobile food establishment, that person shall comply with fire and explosion safety standards established by the city manager and city codes.
(c) 
A person operating a mobile food establishment shall equip the interior of the mobile food establishment with an attached trash receptacle approved by the city manager for the use of persons working in the mobile food establishment. The operator must hold, store, and dispose of solid and liquid waste in a receptacle approved by the city manager and must comply with any other applicable city code requirements.
(d) 
Foods that are not prepared inside the food truck, or that require extensive preparation or cooking outside of the food truck, must be prepared at a licensed central preparation facility and not at a private residence. Ice that is to be consumed or that contacts food must be made and used in accordance with retail food requirements established by the TDSHS.
(e) 
A plan to dispose of grease or other liquid waste must be presented to the city to determine the frequency and location of an appropriate waste disposal receptor. Storm sewers, carwashes, or other locations that may wash into waters of the state may not be used to dispose of grease or other liquid waste.
(f) 
A person who operates a mobile food establishment must comply with the food establishment rules, including, but not limited to:
(1) 
A mobile food establishment shall provide only single-service articles for use by the consumer;
(2) 
A mobile food establishment shall comply with the regulations adopted by the TDSHS regarding time, temperature, plumbing, operation and maintenance requirements for mobile food establishments and any other regulations approved by the city manager;
(3) 
A mobile food establishment shall comply with the regulations adopted by the TDSHS regarding a mobile food establishment’s provisions, mandatory central preparation facility, serving area and operations and any other regulations approved by the city manager;
(4) 
A mobile food establishment shall demonstrate that the vehicle is readily moveable if requested by the city manager;
(5) 
A mobile food establishment shall comply with all requirements prohibiting alteration, removal, attachments, placement or change in, under, or upon the mobile food establishment that would prevent or otherwise reduce ready mobility of the mobile food establishment unit;
(6) 
The city manager shall require a mobile food establishment to come, on an annual basis, to a location designated by the city manager for an inspection;
(7) 
All food and supplies must be stored within the mobile unit;
(8) 
A person who operates a mobile food establishment may not place food, equipment, or supplies that are part of its operations outside of the permitted unit and must conduct all of its operational activities within the mobile food establishment;
(9) 
The city manager may require mobile food establishments found to violate this section come for a reinspection at a location designated by the city manager;
(10) 
A mobile vending unit must be equipped with an attached potable water container of no less than 30 gallons. A pushcart type mobile vending unit must be equipped with an attached potable water container of no less than 10 gallons; and
(11) 
Mobile vending unit wastewater containers must be sized with at least 15% higher capacity than the potable water tank size installed.
(Ordinance 2017-05-01-007 adopted 5/1/17)
(a) 
No mobile food establishment shall locate on any private property without written permission to do so and must comply if asked to leave by the property owner or city official. A copy of the written permission to operate in a specific location, signed by the private property owner, shall be kept within the mobile vending unit at all times.
(b) 
A mobile food establishment may not be located within fifteen (15) feet of another mobile food establishment unless approved by the city manager.
(c) 
Hours of operation for a mobile food establishment are limited between 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily. Food trucks are required to move off locations daily by 8:30 p.m. Hours of operation and the requirement to move off the location daily may change if approved by the city manager.
(d) 
Food trucks operations shall comply with all zoning and location restrictions required by the city.
(Ordinance 2017-05-01-007 adopted 5/1/17; Ordinance 2020-08-03-007 adopted 8/3/20)
Annual permit fees will be pro-rated. Permits run from January to December of a given calendar year and expire on December 31st of that year. Permit fees may be pro-rated based on the number of calendar months the permit is in effect beginning with the month the permit is issued through December. Permits may be renewed prior to January 1st with payment of an annual fee. Renewals require an inspection and updates to application information. Permits are not transferrable from owner to owner.
(Ordinance 2017-05-01-007 adopted 5/1/17)
(a) 
No permit shall be issued under this article until the applicant has filed with the city manager a certificate or certificates of insurance, indicating that there is in effect public liability insurance covering any damages arising out of the use and operation of any and all devices and facilities operated in connection with the mobile food establishment and the location of the mobile food establishment. A public liability insurance policy shall be issued by a company authorized to do business in the state. The policy shall be accompanied by a certificate from such company that such policy will be in force and effect during the full duration of the valid permit. Such policy shall be in an amount not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) for the death or injury of one (1) person, and not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) for death or injury in any one (1) accident. The applicant should have the city named as an additional insured. The insurance requirements stated herein may be revised by the city council, as needed.
(b) 
The applicant must indemnify and release the city in connection and use of the location of the mobile food establishment before receiving a valid permit.
(Ordinance 2017-05-01-007 adopted 5/1/17)
The city shall inspect food trucks prior to issuing a permit for the following:
(1) 
Posted valid state sales tax permit;
(2) 
Posted valid state license by TDSHS;
(3) 
Properly maintained fire extinguishers in good operating order;
(4) 
Compliance with applicable city codes; and
(5) 
General condition.
(Ordinance 2017-05-01-007 adopted 5/1/17)
This article does not pertain to food truck use when operating as temporary food establishments under TDSHS rules by invitation of event organizers for a community event limited in time, i.e. festival, bazaar, carnival, circus, fundraiser, public exhibition, celebration, sporting or other public gathering which can be civic, political, public, or educational. Such use is only allowed for events that are approved by the city manager and managed separately by event organizers.
(Ordinance 2017-05-01-007 adopted 5/1/17)
(a) 
A violation of any provision of this article shall be deemed to be a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, such violation shall be punishable by a fine in an amount not to exceed $500.00. Each day of a violation exists shall constitute a separate offense.
(b) 
Neither allegation nor evidence of culpable mental state is required for the proof of an offense defined by this article.
(Ordinance 2017-05-01-007 adopted 5/1/17)