HOUSTON – A Westheimer-area food truck lot that’s served hungry Houstonians for nearly a decade is now at the center of growing neighborhood frustrations.
Residents living near Hullsmith Street say the once-small lot has expanded significantly in recent years, bringing more trucks, more patrons, and more problems.
“The operation time is 11 in the morning to four in the morning, sometimes five,” said Erika Zuniga, who lives directly behind the lot. “These people cannot sleep.”
Trash, traffic, and safety concerns
Neighbors point out concerns, including trash, increased noise, and the lack of basic facilities. They say there are no public restrooms or trash cans on-site, leading some patrons and workers to use the street as a restroom.
“I’ve seen people urinating and defecating on the street,” said one nearby resident. “There are no trash cans, so customers throw their trash on the streets.”
Traffic congestion is also a persistent issue, particularly during evening hours.
“The traffic really picks up around 8 o’clock at night,” said another resident. “Every time I come home, the double parking is awful.”
Residents say the congestion has even become a public safety hazard. Just weeks ago, they say a fire truck was blocked by vehicles crowding the narrow street.
City responds, but says ordinances are outdated
Councilwoman Tiffany Thomas, who represents District F, says while she understands residents’ frustrations, the food truck operators aren’t breaking any city rules.
“The one thing that’s so special about Houston is that we have no zoning,” said Thomas. “But the implications of that affect the quality of life.”
Still, she says the city is taking action to address parking and safety concerns. A new parking improvement plan is in the works, with a $40,000 investment to redesign the area’s street parking.
What’s in the plan?
The proposed design will:
- Outline designated parking for patrons of the food truck park
- Keep both sides of Hullsmith Street clear of parked vehicles
- Prohibit parking that blocks driveways or entrances
- Create more organized access points to the food truck lot
The improvements are scheduled to roll out in 2026.
A bigger issue: Modernizing Houston’s rules
Ultimately, Councilwoman Thomas says the situation highlights a much larger issue—Houston’s outdated ordinances.
“Houston is an old city with a young spirit,” she said. “We’re entrepreneurial. But we need to be surgical in how we improve our neighborhoods.”
She is urging the City Council to begin the process of revising those ordinances now, before tensions escalate further.
“I think what’s the best direction we need to take is to look at how we can include our food truck parks in the same type of structure and regulation as we do with our nightclubs, our after-hours to address noise disturbances."
What you need to know about food truck parks in Harris County
If you live in Harris County and are curious about local ordinances, we took your questions to the top officials. Here is what we found:
As food truck parks grow in popularity across Harris County, many residents are raising questions about how they’re regulated—and who to contact when concerns arise. Here’s a breakdown of the current policies and procedures.
No specific permits for food truck parks
Harris County does not issue a specific permit for food truck parks, nor does it have detailed regulations governing them as standalone entities. Instead, permits are required for each element involved in setting up a food truck site, including structures, paving, drainage, driveways, and restroom facilities.
Permitting process for food truck operations
Each food truck operating on a property must obtain separate permits from both Harris County Public Health and the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office. These agencies oversee food safety and fire safety compliance.
No cap on number of trucks
There’s currently no maximum or minimum number of food trucks allowed in one location. However, the Fire Marshal requires at least 20 feet of space between each truck to meet fire safety standards.
Proximity to residential areas
There are no formal restrictions preventing food truck parks from operating near or within residential neighborhoods. That said, the Fire Marshal’s Office and Public Health Department may provide additional guidance based on specific site conditions.
Oversight and complaints
Regulation enforcement falls under the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office. If residents have complaints about a food truck park’s location, operations, or safety issues, they should contact the Fire Marshal directly.
