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CC- ACTION ITEM: (1) Consideration of Updating the Culver City Municipal Code Food Truck Regulations, including a Potential Food Truck Permit Program to Regulate the Operations of Food Trucks throughout the City; and (2) Direction to the City Manager as Deemed Appropriate.
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Meeting Date: February 23, 2026
Contact Person/Dept.: Adam Ferguson/PRCS
Phone Number: (310) 253-6685
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Attachments: Yes [] No [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (02/19/2026)
Department Approval: Adam Ferguson, PRCS Deputy Director (02/18/2026) _____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) consider updating the Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) with respect to food trucks, which may include a food truck permit program to regulate the operations of food trucks throughout the City; and (2) provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND
The CCMC currently requires food truck vendors to obtain a street vendor permit, and a business license. Food truck vendors may not operate within 300 feet of public schools or parks. (CCMC § 11.09.215.C) Food trucks may operate as part of a special event permit, which are limited to 12 days per calendar year. (CCMC § 17.520.015.B.1.a.)
During the February 9, 2026, City Council Regular Meeting, residents asked to agendize this discussion regarding food truck vending rules and regulations, specifically as they pertain to vending in or near parks and limits on the number of special events at which such vendors may operate per year. Consensus was received by all Council Members to agendize a discussion with additional information from staff regarding food trucks and potential updates to the CCMC.
Food trucks not only vend prepared foods from vehicles, they also host events and holiday parties. Food trucks can be found at various locations throughout the City including parks.
DISCUSSION
CCMC sections 11.09.215.C and 17.520.015.B.1.a are two current permitting systems which apply to food trucks but are not designed for them. Therefore, the Council may wish to amend the CCMC to create a specific permit system for food truck vendors whereby the City could allow a specified number of appropriately vetted, licensed, and insured vendors to operate on a first-come-first-served basis, rotation system, or other objective system.
Such a program should include the following significant issues:
• Permit application fees
• The application and review process
• Health and safety requirements
• Hours and days of operation
• Permit duration
• Operating zones or locations where such activities could take place
• The number of permitted food trucks allowed to operate within a specific area
• Insurance requirements
• Procedures to ensure equal access to prime locations for all potential vendors
• Penalties for violations including fines and permit suspension and revocation
The program would support small business development while protecting health and safety, and ensuring fairness across vendors and compliance with City regulations. With direction from the Council, Staff would research and create the program, assess the amount of community outreach that would be needed, define specific timelines for applications, and calculate fees associated with the permit. Once these items have been completed, staff would return to City Council for discussion and possible approval and implementation of the program within a time frame directed by City Council, with the understanding that other Council directives may need to be reprioritized to accommodate a shorter turnaround on this item.
In lieu of a food truck permit program, the Council could update the existing regulations in the CCMC, which would include generally applicable rules and requirements for food truck operations. While the current Municipal Code provides a detailed framework for sidewalk and street vendors, it does not address food trucks in the vehicular right of way specifically. Therefore, at a minimum, the Council should consider updating the Code to specify location, operational hours, and enforcement guidelines specific to food trucks. Updating the municipal code will ensure an equitable framework across all food vendors promoting fairness and protecting public health and safety.
Regardless of the method the Council wishes to use to approach updating the City’s regulation of food truck operations, it would be helpful to staff for the Council to provide guidance on some important policy questions:
• Public health and safety
• Alcohol sales or consumption
• Noise, trash, and traffic impacts on neighborhoods
• Damage to public facilities
• The potential commercial uses of public parks
• Fairness and equal access to desirable locations for vending
These considerations will have a significant impact on the nature and specific provisions in any proposed Code amendment.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact from discussion of this item. If the Council desires to create a food truck permit program, there would be a fiscal impact related to staff resources necessary to implement and monitor the program.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
recommended action
MOTION(S)
That the City Council:
1. Consider creating a food truck permit program to regulate the operations of food trucks throughout the City; and/or
2. Consider an update to the Culver City Municipal Code to include specifics on how a food truck can operate; and
3. Provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.