Are Foodtrucks Allowed?

I am the original poster. There was a sign in the window saying “$8 per plate” so it was not just free food to feed the performers. Also, I’m not just a first worlder looking for something to complain about, I want to know the answer. When I travel to other cities, I enjoy food truck culture and wish that we had more here. I was hoping the times had changed in SB.

my understanding is food trucks in themselves are NOT illegal. but where they park and for how LONG is where things get "sticky"

I cant remember the exact time. but my understanding is they have to be on private property, and can only stay for a few hours in one location.

Food trucks are very popular in N. Cal. Some bars and breweries use food trucks until they get a regular kitchen going or instead of adding a kitchen. There is a lot of variety in the trucks. Fall River brewing does multi day events with a different food truck each day. Parks made just for food trucks to gather are popular too.

This question deserves an answer by SB City Attorney to be posted on EdHat. I attended a few meetings of the SB City ordinance committee chaired by Rep Randy Rowse. The Food Truck Organizer asked for private meeting with the City Attorney. The outcome of decisions was never publicized to my knowledge. At issue:
1) free use of public streets (and sidewalks) requiring tax payers to subsidize these private businesses and blocking traffic/ pedestrian flow;
2) lack of sanitary facilities for hand washing to toilet. Customers urinating and dedicating Ingushes and walkways. Unsanitary public health concerns;
3) no health dept inspection or standards;
4) food trucks parked on private property without owner knowledge resulting in liability issues, trash, feces, required cleanup, risks and costs to property owners;
5) neighborhood residential concerns with night evening strangers in residential areas not zoned for sales;
6) no payment of rent or overhead costs jeopardizing competitiveness of other neighborhood take-out, fast food and traditional restaurants in correctly zoned areas who pay health dept licensing inspection fees, taxes, rent and staff costs. Unfair competitive advantage by unlicensed vendors. .
Can EdHat get a response to reader questions from City?

I attended initial meetings because Health Dept shut down food concessions at SBHS pool by Parent Group while allowing an unlicensed filthy food cart to continue to sell. Parents had gloves,, sanitation facilities, packaged goods, designated built-in clean iBBQ area, etc while the cart had nothing but exposed unpackaged food on a visibly dirty cart. The inspector mumbled ‘we’re a sanctuary state so we don’t get involved with that (implying if our skin brown rules don’t apply.) Bizzarre response. I went to inquire and was told there are no rules but City looking into various issues via its Ordinance Committee. Never heard the outcome. What are the rules?

Allowed on private property, not on public streets....that’s what I understood

Would love Santa Barbara food trucks if they had red-tile roofs and the wrought-iron window trim.

We need more food trucks. Taco's, Pizza, Grilled Cheese, BBQ, Indian, Gyros,.....bring em on. Variety is the spice of life!

I don’t believe there is an outright ban but there are several restrictions regarding food trucks. I’m going to say the city ok’d this one or at let it slide due to the shen yun show. Which is awesome btw. Saw it twice!

It was common practice in L.A. to go to food trucks for drugs, especially heroin. Family members went there for drugs, and were told to show their track marks on their arms to prove they were druggies.

What a shame an Edhatter can't post a simple question without the snark brigade taking umbrage.

Food trucks _are_ allowed, with restrictions. My guess is that this is allowed. Dancers gotta eat.

Private service for the Granada, obviously.

LUCKY777: Do you mean to say there are "Ladies of the Night" proffering their wares on Reddick via motor homes? Where is SBPD?

Looks like a food supplier for the Shen Yun performers.

San Marcos High School allows a food truck on the campus, frequently. You can see it from Hollister.

Up and down Milpas every night, with neon lights! But then again, I guess the motor homes parked on RedDick Avenue aren't there either, with the lines of men waiting to go in. Service economy.