Altoona joins neighbors in setting up food truck safety rules as interest grows

Altoona has joined its neighbors in setting up formal guidelines for mobile food vending as officials say interest in food trucks grows in the Des Moines metro each year.

Altoona Fire Department Deputy Chief and Fire Marshal John Kraemer said a new ordinance to address safety as the food truck scene grows took effect earlier this month after the City Council signed off.

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The guidelines include a fire inspection for vehicles and a permit system for vendors to be able to offer their services. Food trucks already existed in Altoona, but officials wanted to set up a system for permitting and inspection to make sure that vendors were providing their services safely. Altoona follows its suburban neighbors Pleasant Hill, Ankeny and Bondurant in setting up a formal system.

"The whole ordinance really stems from being able to allow food trucks in our community to provide those services, but to do so safely, and basically acknowledge the need," Kraemer said. "The community really loves the food trucks, and we want to be able to provide a mechanism by which we can allow them to come into the city and provide their services safely."

There is a $150 application and permit fee that includes an inspection to make sure the vehicles and trailer meet the fire code.

Kraemer said he is not aware of any safety incidents in Altoona, but he said there have been national reports of safety issues like trucks that caught fire or exploded.

Chris Higgins covers the eastern suburbs for the Register. Reach him at chiggins@registermedia.com or 515-423-5146 and follow him on Twitter @chris_higgins_.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Altoona joins Ankeny, Bondurant, Pleasant Hill in food truck permit system