Politics & Government

Food Trucks Welcome, but Follow the Rules

New regulations are designed to "level the playing field" between food trucks and traditional restaurants.

 

Food trucks will soon be officially welcome in Alameda — as long as they follow new city rules.

According to Deputy City Manager Alex Nguyen, the regulations begin Feb. 6 for food truck vendors operating in Alameda, both on city streets and at five designated off-street locations. Trucks are allowed off-street at Alameda Point, the College of Alameda, South Shore Shopping Center, the Harbor Bay Business Park, and Marina Village Business Park. 

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"The recently adopted 'food truck' ordinance is aimed at establishing local regulatory control for health and safety reasons and to level the playing field between food trucks and traditional restaurants," Nguyen said in a press release.

"Food trucks now must obtain a local business license, an encroachment permit for on-street activity, or a conditional use permit for off-street activity. They may only park at least 50 feet from crosswalks and 25 feet from driveways.

Find out what's happening in Alamedawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"In addition, vendors must pay taxes consistent to those of a restaurant, and comply with health and safety restrictions."

Complete guidelines are posted at on the city's website here.

“There is a new generation of food trucks offering exciting and innovative menus,” said Mayor Marie Gilmore. “They have the ability to attract people and add to the activities at Alameda Point or elsewhere in the City where there may not be many on-the-spot eating options, like Harbor Bay Business Park."

Lori Taylor, the city’s community development director, said she expects the food truck program "to help revitalize under-used or under-served areas and to address the lack of food establishments in certain locales.”

City staff will monitor the program for one year and make necessary adjustments, Nguyen said.


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