Sacramento City Council Considers Easing Food Truck Restrictions

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Restaurants on wheels are growing in popularity in Sacramento, but there's a time constraint food truck operators say is getting in the way of their success.

City law prohibits food trucks from being in one spot for more than 30 minutes. The city is looking to change that.

On Friday, McKinley Park was filled with good trucks at an event where they are allowed to set up and stay. Food Truck Mania, which is held every second Friday of the month from March to November, offers food, music, a beer garden and activities for the kids.

But it's the lunchtime crowds during the week that food truck owners are hoping to take a bit of. Unlike Food Truck Mania, the luxury of parking for an extended period of time doesn't exist on the streets.

"If my lunch time isn't at the time when they're there, I just miss it?" said Wilbert Carthen.

If food lovers are upset, you can imagine how food truck owners like Gameday Grill's AJ Navarro feel.

"Thirty minutes is very hard for gourmet food trucks doing high-quality food," he said.

He started three years ago making gourmet sandwiches, but Gameday Grill's most popular item is its tri-tip loaded fries.

But even with his success, Navarro says the time constraint makes it difficult to expand business and strengthen relationships with customers.

"We try to stay away from downtown just because of it," he said. "It takes a lot to get these things up and running."

The city hears the complaints from food truckers, and they're trying to do something about it. The City Council will consider allowing food trucks to park on any given street for the legal allotted time.

The only catch is they have to be near a legal restroom.

The amendment to the food truck ordinance is expected to go in front of the council in April.