local
Bell County food trucks battle increase costs with state permit law change
By Mariah Williams at KXXV (ABC 25) News
· June 29, 2026
· 3 min read
Food truck owners across Texas must now obtain a new state permit instead of county-level permits, and Bell County vendors say they were caught off guard after being told their existing permits would carry them through the year until recently.Watch the story here: Bell County food trucks battle...
Key takeaway "For Bell County, the permit was $250, which they just raised from the previous year.
Why this matters in The Waco
The sudden shift to a state permit requirement will undoubtedly have a ripple effect on Waco 's own food truck scene, where vendors often operate in both Bell and McLennan counties. As local food truck owners navigate this change, they will have to carefully consider the financial implications of obtaining a new state permit, which could be a significant burden for small businesses. The timing of the change, coinciding with the peak summer event season, will likely be felt by event organizers and attendees in Waco, who may see a reduction in food truck options. The partnership between the Bell County Public Health District and the state for inspections and permits may serve as a model for McLennan County to follow, potentially mitigating the impact on local vendors. As the situation unfolds, it will be worth watching how Waco's food truck community adapts to this new regulatory landscape and whether local event organizers can find ways to support affected vendors.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Food truck owners across Texas must now obtain a new state permit instead of county-level permits, and Bell County vendors say they were caught off guard after being told their existing permits would carry them through the year until recently.Watch the story here: Bell County food trucks battle...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 29, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Mariah Williams at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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