Mayor Gray promised to release the newly drafted DC food truck regulations on Jan 20th – and he did. The DCFTA generally likes the proposed new vending regulations and is asking the public to join them in support. You can show your support by filling out this online petition. But, all is not 100% rosy, as Che Ruddell-Tabisola (BBQ Bus), Executive Director of DCFTA outlines some negative points of the newly proposed regulations:
- Limiting Sweets Trucks to 10 Minutes: The proposed regulations allow dessert trucks to be open for only 10 minutes if there are no waiting customers. Sweets food trucks should be allowed to be open as long as savory food trucks.
- Zoning of Food Trucks: The new regulations propose to create Vending Development Zones. The goals of these zones are worthy. However, Vending Development Zones must not be manipulated by special interest to create “Food Truck-Free Zones” that eliminate consumer choice or fair competition.
- Shorter Hours for Food Trucks Than for Restaurants: The proposed regulations require food trucks to close at 10 pm on weekdays and 1 am on weekends. Food trucks should be allowed to be open the same hours as restaurants.
