NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release: September 15, 2014 Contact: Katie Keach, 619-235-5268
Roadblock Removed: Rules for Food Trucks Finally Ready for
Implementation
SAN DIEGO (September 15, 2014) Council President Todd Gloria today announced the City
Council removed the final hurdle impeding implementation of rules for mobile food trucks that were
approved in March. The City Council today adopted a resolution overruling the Airport Authoritys
Determination of Inconsistency for the ordinance. Once the Mayors signature is secured on the
resolution, the original food truck ordinance would go into effect in the non-coastal zones. The
Coastal Commission is expected to consider the ordinance for the coastal zones this fall.
The Airport Authority deemed the Citys food truck ordinance inconsistent with its zones and has been
treating food trucks, which are a low intensity/mobile vending use, as if they were a new retail food
establishment.
The idea behind the food truck ordinance was to allow food trucks to legally operate, and I
would hate to see the rules limited if it isnt absolutely necessary, said Council President Gloria.
Im glad that this roadblock has been cleared so that the rules the City Council approved can
be implemented and food trucks will be able to operate in San Diego in a way that doesnt
negatively impact our neighborhoods.
Council President Gloria also noted existing provisions in the Land Development Code and in the food
truck ordinance which regulate the high intensity commercial use that concerned the Airport Authority.
The ordinance was developed during Glorias tenure as Interim Mayor to address inconsistent
regulation and enforcement during the previous mayoral administration.
The approved food truck ordinance is expected go into effect soon and provides that private property
owners who host food trucks must apply for an over the counter permit from the Citys Development
Services Department. Food truck operators are not required to get permits.
No permits are required for property owners in industrial areas where the food truck is providing a
private catering service or at schools, hospitals, religious facilities, or construction sites.
In residential areas, the City Council approved a limit on hours of operation in order to reduce the
potential for late night noise impacts on residents. The proposed hours of limitation within 300 feet of
a dwelling unit are 6:00 a.m. 10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 6:00 a.m. 11:00 p.m. on
Fridays and Saturdays. Council President Gloria clarified that this doesnt mean food trucks couldnt
operate within 300 feet of a residence; it only puts very sensible time limitations on those operations.
The ordinance also includes:
Locations where food trucks need minimal staff review in order to limit the time, place, and
manner of operations to minimize potential conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles. In
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News from
Council President Todd Gloria
City of San Diego
Page 2
locations mapped as high parking demand with limited on-street parking availability, food
trucks will be limited to operating on private property in order to help preserve the much
needed on-street parking.
A requirement for the City Council to review the ordinance for effectiveness, public input, and
potential changes in one year.
Food truck operators will be required to clean 25 feet around the vehicle.
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