UPDATE: The Council passed the uncontroversial parts of the regulations and plan on settling the controversial (zones and sidewalk) rules before the summer recess in July. Things are looking up for the future of DC food trucks!
Many of us heard on Friday that the DC Council’s Business, Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Committee voted to reject the proposed DC food truck regulations! Though, Councilmember Orange introduced emergency legislation that would allow the council to amend the proposed rules. That vote is expected sometime this week. If the emergency legislation is passed, then the Council will likely seek to loosen up many of the restrictions in the proposed regulations: the 500-foot lottery vending zones could be reduced or eliminated and the requirement for 10-feet of unobstructed sidewalk space could be eliminated.
The City Paper also posted the draft committee report from last Friday.
Food Trucks Thank DC Council for Support
Food Trucks Ready to Work with District, Community for Vending Regulations that Work
WASHINGTON, DC – Food trucks today thanked the DC Council for their support in advancing the goal of implementing fair and effective food truck regulations.
“Thank you DC Council for supporting our small businesses,” said Doug Povich, Chairman of the Food Truck Association of Metropolitan Washington and co-owner of Red Hook Lobster Pound-DC. “We congratulate Business, Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Committee Chairman Vincent Orange on his successful effort to pass legislation yesterday adopting consensus provisions of the proposed rules.”
“We also appreciate support from Councilmembers Tommy Wells and Mary Cheh and Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, who worked with Chairman Orange on a friendly bill amendment ensuring food trucks will continue to operate across the District while stakeholders work to build on recent progress,” Povich added. “We stand ready to join the effort spearheaded by Chairman Orange to work with him, his staff and the community to finalize vending regulations that work for District residents and workers as soon as possible.”