Santa Maria updating food truck rules to up compliance, reduce enforcement | Government and Politics

The plan, approved unanimously on a first reading with a 4-0 vote on June 16, extends operating hours for food trucks and removes minute restrictions for the mobile businesses.

Dow noted that service hours and operational changes directly relate to the differences in the type of service, food options and preparation times that food trucks have undergone since the code was last updated in 2008.

“Food trucks have become really an essential component of Santa Maria’s food scene and local economy,” Dow said. “Additionally, the existing rules are very difficult to enforce.”

Existing rules allowed food trucks to operate on public streets for 30 minutes at a time, and on private property for 70 minutes at a time.

“With that, we would essentially need a code enforcement officer or police officer to follow a food truck around all day with a stopwatch,” Dow said. The new code would remove the time restrictions, and would provide updated time allowances on both public and private property.

The changes come with new restrictions on how the catering trucks can operate: In addition to not being able to provide seating furniture for customers or shade structures, no amplifiers or loudspeakers can be used and service cannot impede traffic safety on the adjacent roadway or commercial lot.

Vendors must also keep areas within 100 feet of their vehicle clean at all times by providing a visible trash receptacle for customers, and must regularly collect trash and debris, and remove it from the site when leaving, though the use of public trash receptacles is prohibited.

Under the new ordinance, catering vendors will also be prohibited from using city utility services, including water or electricity, unless pre-authorized in writing.

The proposed ordinance changes have different requirements for public and private spaces.

Operation on private property:

• Prohibited within 300 feet of another catering vehicle or brick-and-mortar establishments
• Must obtain written consent of the property owner and all tenants
• Extended operating hours between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m

Operation on public property:

• Prohibited within 500 feet of a school (public or private) or daycare center
• Operating period in one location between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.
• Operating within 200 feet of a City park requires permits from the Recreation and Parks Department.
• Vendor cannot locate in front of a residence longer 30 minutes, unless working a single-day special event and possessing written permission from the property owner.

The proposed changes were developed with the input of catering businesses and brick-and-mortar restaurants, with both responding positively to the changes.

Standalone restaurants approved of the protections addressing competition in their own parking lots, and food truck providers supported the removal of time-limits on their stays which impacted operations.

Santa Maria Code Enforcement Manager Dawn Palacios told the council that mobile providers are excited they will not have to move their vehicle every half-hour on public property, or almost every hour on private property, which under old law had to occur even if they are paying rent to the property owner.

“By the time they’re getting their fryers warmed up; it’s not the same as it used to be, perhaps having the prepared food and they’re just delivering it — the sandwiches, the burritos, what they used to have,” Palacios explained. “Now, they’re preparing the meals when they get the orders, so it takes time; so the input we’ve received from them has been very positive.”

The creation of clear and consistent rules is expected to improve compliance rates by businesses and reduce code enforcement costs.

In addition to maintaining compliance with local code enforcement, catering trucks must obtain a business license from the City, and a health permit from the County.

The new rules will return for a final vote at the council’s July 7 meeting.