Allen can no longer regulate food truck health permits, proximity to restaurants or operating hours after the City Council approved three changes to the Allen Land Development Code on July 28.
Two of the three amendments were mandated by state laws passed by the 89th Texas Legislature in 2025. The Allen Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of all three in a 6-0 vote at its July 7 meeting. Senior Planner Nabiha Ahmed presented the changes at both meetings.
Food trucks: what Allen can and can't regulate
House Bill 2844, which took effect July 1, preempts local food truck regulation in three areas Allen previously controlled: health permits and inspections, how close a food truck can park to a brick-and-mortar restaurant, and operating hours.
Allen retains control over where food trucks can set up by zoning district, land use permissions such as blocking fire lanes or easements, and the requirement that vendors hold a state-issued permit. The Texas Department of State Health Services now administers a statewide licensing system and maintains a database of licensed vendors, inspection results and public complaints.
The state law preempts any local ordinance, rule or policy that conflicts with its provisions, whether adopted before or after the bill's effective date.
Manufactured homes on ag land
Senate Bill 785 requires Allen to allow HUD-code manufactured homes on land zoned for agriculture and open space uses, provided the parcel is at least 1 acre, without requiring a special use permit — so long as the city doesn't require one for other residential property in the same zoning classification. Previously, property owners needed that permit to place a manufactured home on ag-zoned land.
The Legislature passed SB 785 after finding that restrictive local ordinances had made it difficult to install manufactured homes in certain areas, despite their role as a cost-effective housing option.
Downtown District fix
The third change removes a duplicate bullet point in Allen's Downtown District Ordinance. It is not tied to state legislation.
What's next
These amendments are separate from the broader 18-to-24-month Allen Land Development Code overhaul the council discussed at a July 23 workshop, which we reported July 27. That comprehensive review is still in its early stages.
Mayor Chris Schulmeister presided over the July 28 meeting. Allen City Council meets at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at Allen City Hall, 305 Century Parkway. The next regular meeting is Aug. 11.
