July 1, 2026
The Creekside Subs food truck sits in the parking lot adjacent to the Jimmy Harris Railroad Depot on June 26, 2026. Jonathan Rich / Brevard Beagle
Jonathan Rich
Brevard Beagle
Mobile food trucks are already operating in private parking lots all across Transylvania County and during special events such as the White Squirrel Weekend and America 250 celebration, but a new pilot program is in the works for both motorized food trucks and non-motorized food push carts to do the same on city-owned property on a more regular basis.
The topic came before the City of Brevard’s Finance and Human Resources Committee at its June 22 meeting. Senoir City Planner Emily Brewer explained that a total of three food truck locations and nine motorized food cart locations on city property are being considered for a pilot program that if approved by Brevard City Council at its upcoming July 20 meeting could temporarily allow mobile food vendors to sell their wares in public parks and other specific locations downtown.
The approved city-owned spots under consideration are:
Motorized Food Trucks
- Jordan Street parking lot (no generator permitted – electrical hookup only)
- Brevard Sports Complex parking lot
- Silversteen parking lot * (beginning October 2026 following construction in area)
Non-Motorized Vendors - Clemson Plaza
- Brevard Dog Park
- Franklin Pool
- Silversteen Park
- Brevard Skate Park
- Brevard Sports Complex soccer field
The difficulty many mobile food vendors typically face with their businesses is that food trucks and carts often need electrical hookups in order to both refrigerate and cook their products as well as power lights and appliances within the mobile unit, but public electrical outlets are not always easily accessible on public property.
Some mobile food vendors use portable generators to accomplish this, but those devices typically emit loud noises and emissions when operating.
Additionally, a food truck in a parking lot with a generator might take up multiple parking spaces which are already in high-demand adjacent to city-owned property and without a dedicated placement the mobile food vedor could infringe upon spaces near city-owned property designated for disabled drivers to access.
“There are currently five electrical hookups in downtown: three are on Main Street, one is in The Times Arcade Alley and then one is over on Jordan Street,” Brewer explained. “I then looked at where the downtown fire district was because the food truck would have to have a generator and the only parking city-owned parking lot that is outside of that fire district.”
There is another public electrical hookup near England Street behind Brevard City Hall, but it is outside of the downtown fire district.
Under provisions of the proposed pilot program, applicants would pay $100 to apply for a permit to operate on designated city properties on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The business would have to provide proof of liability insurance and a Health Department permit if vending food or beverages.
Approved vendors would be allowed to occupy a spot on city property up to 20 minutes before and up to 20 minutes after weekend hours of operation, but the mobile unit must vacate the spot at the end of the day and remove all associated equipment, signage, trash and debris each night.
Use of a vendor spot would be on a first-come, first-served basis and only one vendor would be permitted at each location.
Other provisions include:
- No mobile food vendor shall take up more than one designated 10×10 foot space.
- Vehicles used to tow mobile vending units shall be moved to a secondary location prior to operation in order to maintain adequate public parking and circulation.
- No temporary structures, tents, or tables are permitted with the mobile vendor. Umbrellas or protective coverings may be permitted if attached to the vendor cart or truck.
- If permitted as a non-motorized vendor cart, the unit cannot be connected to power. Any food preparation, if applicable, must be done off-site.
- Each vendor is allowed one sign with a maximum display area of 8 square feet per side and a maximum height of 4 feet (measured from the ground).
- No audio amplification is allowed as part of the mobile vending operations.
- The operator or their designee must be present at all times, except in cases of an emergency.
- The vendor shall comply with all federal, state and local laws when operating the unit. The approved pilot program reservation shall be visible at all times, along with any other permits required to be displayed by Transylvania County or the State of North Carolina.
- Vendors are responsible for keeping the area clean during and after operation. Each mobile vendor shall supply at least one waste receptacle, which must be removed at the end of each day. City trash receptacles shall not be used for the vendor’s waste.
- Vendors must maintain professional behavior. No harassment of passersby or aggressive solicitation will be tolerated.
- The sale of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, hemp products, or other controlled substances or prohibited items is strictly prohibited.
Brooke Crump, owner of Little Creek Subs Food Truck, has operated her food truck during the week at locations including the Railroad Depot and Transylvania Regional Hospital since May 2025.
Her previous restaurant on Asheville Highway, Creekside Subs, was forced to close in April 2024 to make way for an NC DOT road-widening project planned for roadways west of downtown Brevard.
She said the transition to running a popular food truck has been rewarding, but the process to do so can be taxing for a small business such as hers.
“The experience has been great and a big learning experience for me since I have always been used to a brick and mortar location,” she admitted. “It seems like having to fight to keep a small business running and successful is hard around here for all small businesses.”
The proposal for a pilot food truck permitting plan will be before Brevard City Council on July 20. If approved, it would run for the remainder of the calendar year and be evaluated for additional provisions and modifications to go into effect no earlier than 2027.