Nashville City Council Passes New Ordinance Regulating Transient Merchants and Mobile Food Vendors

During their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, the Nashville City Council addressed several key issues, including the approval of a new ordinance aimed at regulating transient peddlers, merchants, and mobile food units operating within the city.

The ordinance passed with a 9 to 2 vote and outlines clear definitions for transient peddlers/merchants, mobile food units, and mobile food vendors. Under the new rules, a transient license will now be required to operate within city limits. The cost of the license is $150 for a seven-day period or $250 for thirty consecutive days. A daily license is also available for $25 per day, with all days counted consecutively.

However, the ordinance provides an exemption for mobile food vendors operating at the Howard County Farmers Market on Fridays during regular hours and the designated operating season. Despite the exemption, vendors must still comply with health permits, sales tax obligations, fire safety inspections, and maintain liability insurance.

In addition to the ordinance, the council unanimously approved a resolution to utilize federal-aid transportation alternatives program (TAP) funds for sidewalk improvements along Main Street. The TAP funding will be provided at an 80% federal and 20% local cost split, helping Nashville move forward with its infrastructure development goals.

Finance Director Kimberly Green also presented the city’s financial report for the month of March. According to the report, revenue totaled $1,059,442.68 while expenditures came in at $1,000,709.33—leaving the city with a revenue surplus of $58,733.35.

Despite the positive margin, the city experienced a decrease in both city and county sales tax revenues. City sales tax collections dropped by 5.85%, or $7,984, compared to March 2024, while county sales tax revenue decreased by 5.65%, or $4,976.