Tracy's Strict Food-Truck Rules Keeping Vendors Out
Food trucks want the chance to park in Tracy. The mobile food vendors say they spend three to eight hours in Stockton and Mountain House, but can't work closer to their homes in Tracy and Manteca.
Owner of Mamas and the Tapas, Christine Louie, says Tracy requires three separate permits. And just as she was about to pay for them, she found out she wouldn't be working in the city for long.
"I can only make 10 minute stops. I said, 'well, that's not going to work,' and I asked what if someone let me park on their private property, because I know a guy who owns a business. And they said no, that's not allowed," said Louie.
Earlier this year the city of Turlock banned food trucks, because local restaurants complained the trucks didn't have to pay overhead costs.
There are no cities in our area with an outright ban on food trucks, but many have very strict rules.
In Auburn, the mobile restaurants are required to move every 15 minutes. In Elk Grove, trucks are only allowed to operate in one place for up to three hours.
Sacramento, Stockton, Modesto and Manteca all require food trucks to have permits in order to operate within city limits.
Woodland has no rules for food trucks.