AKRON, Ohio - Food trucks vendors operating in Akron now must pay for a health and safety inspection before they can get their permits.

The Akron Fire Department is charging a $25 fee for the inspection, which will be conducted by both the fire department and Summit County Public Health. To operate a food truck, the city charges $225 for a permit application.

Akron food trucks have been inspected in the past but not charged the fee.

The inspection fee is annual, but food trucks could be inspected more than once over the course of the year, said Akron Fire Department Safety Inspector and Information Officer Sierjie Lash.

Changing propane tanks or attending a large event for the first time could garner a vendor another inspection. However, on re-inspection, trucks won't always be charged another fee.

"It's on a case-by-case basis" Lash said. "It's to make sure the food is safe for residents of Akron and to make sure it's safe for those cooking in the trucks."

Food trucks -- mobile restaurants that satisfy crowds with specialties, burgers and fries, ice cream, brick-oven pizza, gourmet tacos -- are hugely popular in Akron, like its neighbor to the north.

"I think it's a great idea," said Charly Murphy, who owns Stray Dog Carts, Cafe and Condiments. "We want to do the best job we can and be safe."

Stray Dog operates four food carts throughout the season, in addition to Stray Dog Cafe on Main Street downtown and Stray Dog Grille at the Akron City Tavern on Main Street in North Hill.

Previous coverage: Stray Dog, Chameleon cafes open in downtown Akron

Murphy has run food carts during events at Lock 3, and major events like the National Hamburger Festival and the Akron Rib, White & Blue Festival, for eight years.

During the summer, Stray Dog Carts have been inspected almost weekly by both the health and fire departments, but until now hadn't been charged a fee.

"It's just the nature of the business," he said.

Food trucks are becoming increasingly popular around the city, as many businesses host food truck days for employees. That brings more trucks out, with many hailing from outside Akron, Lash said. Larger events can draw 15 to 20 trucks.

And some food truck operators have attempted to fly under the radar, setting up in alleyways out of sight of officials, especially near fast food restaurants during busy times. Officials have also found makeshift cooking sites set up on roadsides.

With the health department inspecting the trucks for proper temperatures, cleanliness and storage there's less chance people will get sick eating the food. The fire department will be looking at propane tanks, frying grease and other flammables.

Rather than imposing an immediate fine on food truck vendors found operating without an inspection, the fire department will work to educate them.

The inspection fee is not intended to deter food trucks, but to make Akron more food truck friendly, Lash said.

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