Oklahoma City has just passed a new law that gives more flexibility to mobile food vendors. This law, House Bill 3369, allows food trucks to use alternative fire suppression methods instead of automatic systems, as long as they follow certain safety rules.
Rep. Derrick Hildebrant and Sen. Christi Gillespie, who authored the bill, believe it will help small business owners thrive while keeping safety a priority. “This legislation adapts the fire code to offer a safer option for food trucks,” Hildebrant said. The bill requires vendors to have two portable Class K fire extinguishers and ensures that all staff complete annual fire safety training.
Last year, these lawmakers worked to reduce regulations for food vendors with the Food Truck Freedom Act. Gillespie pointed out that this new measure takes it a step further by getting rid of costly requirements that can hinder business operations. “By allowing practical alternatives, we’re making life easier for food truck owners,” she said.
Before this law, mobile food vendors producing smoke or grease were mandated to install expensive automatic fire suppression systems. Under the new guidelines, they won’t need to do this if they meet the alternative safety standards. This shift can significantly ease the financial burden many food truck operators face, allowing them to focus more on serving delicious meals to their communities.
The changes don’t stop there. The process for obtaining permits from the Oklahoma Liquefied Petroleum Gas Board and the State Fire Marshal is now simpler, making it easier for vendors to get started.
As we see more food vendors hit the streets, this law, effective November 1, is a reminder of how policies can adapt to new business models. With the rise of food trucks across the U.S., which now account for about $1 billion in sales annually, finding solutions that support these small businesses is more important than ever.
Oklahoma’s law could serve as a model for other states looking to balance safety with the needs of food entrepreneurs. With so many voices advocating for less red tape in the industry, the conversation around food truck regulations is far from over.
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