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CC - ACTION ITEM: (1) Consideration of Creating the Proposed Food Truck Permit Program to Regulate the Operations of Food Trucks Near Parks; and (2) Direction to City Manager as Deemed Appropriate.
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Meeting Date: July 27, 2026
Contact Person/Dept.: Adam Ferguson/ Parks, Recreation, and Community Services
Phone Number: (310) 253-6685
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Public Notification: (E-mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (07/22/2026)
Department Approval: Thomás Herrera-Mishler, PRCS Director (06/02/2026) _____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) consider creating the proposed food truck permit program to regulate the operations of food trucks near parks; and (2) provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND
The Culver City Municipal Code (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 a discussion regarding potential revisions and updates to the 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.
During the February 23, 2026, City Council Regular Meeting, consensus was received to have the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services (PRCS) Commission form an ad hoc subcommittee to work with staff to develop a pilot permit program for food trucks operating near parks. During the March 3, 2026, PRCS Commission Regular Meeting, an ad hoc subcommittee was formed consisting of Commissioner Jennifer Chen and Commissioner Thomas Whitaker to work with staff on the development of the permit. Staff met with the ad hoc subcommittee on April 10, 2026. PRCS staff presented the initial framework at the PRCS Commission Special Meeting on April 16, 2026, and received feedback to incorporate into the proposed framework.
This report proposes a framework for an ordinance amending the CCMC to implement the program and make necessary adjustments to the current regulations, based on the Council’s feedback and direction. If directed by the City Council, staff will return with a proposed ordinance at a future meeting.
DISCUSSION
To inform the development of a food truck vending program, staff conducted a review of regulations in neighboring Westside cities, including West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and El Segundo. The review focused on operational time limits, park access, and permitting structures. While all jurisdictions adhere to Los Angeles County health standards and require similar documentation (e.g., business licenses, health permits, and insurance), their approaches to managing public space, protecting brick-and-mortar businesses, and activating parks vary.
Key observations include:
• West Hollywood utilizes a time-limited street vending model designed to balance vendor access with impacts on surrounding uses. Regulations include a 60-minute per block limit, a four-hour return restriction, and a 200-foot buffer from restaurants. Park access generally requires a special event permit.
• Beverly Hills employs a highly curated, event-based model that prioritizes control and business compatibility. Food truck operations in parks are generally limited to City-sponsored events and are subject to vendor selection criteria.
• Santa Monica emphasizes environmental and geographic restrictions, including limitations near the Santa Monica Pier and Palisades Park, as well as strict requirements related to disposable food ware and sustainability.
• El Segundo permits food trucks in parks primarily in conjunction with Recreation Department-approved events. Operations are governed by zoning, parking, and event permitting requirements.
Across these jurisdictions, food truck operations in parks typically require special authorization, are subject to location and time restrictions, and must comply with local zoning and parking regulations.
Based on this analysis, staff evaluated Culver City’s park system to identify feasible locations, operating parameters, and an appropriate approval process as set forth in Attachment 1.
Application/Permit Fee
Staff proposes that the City establish a permit system, whereby each truck may receive an annual permit to provide vending services at up to two different park locations per week, on an established schedule. Staff is proposing to utilize the same fee as is required for an application for a sidewalk vending permit, $150.00, and the following regulations:
Eligible Food Truck Locations
Food truck vendors may apply for permits to operate at the following parks:
• Carlson Park
• Culver West Alexander Park
• El Marino Park
• Lindberg Park
• Tellefson Park
• Veterans Memorial Park
Each park will have two designated locations for food truck vending operations. (See Attachment 2) Food truck vending will only be allowed at these locations and during the times listed on the permit.
Operating Times and Restrictions
• Operations are permitted during specified “slots” on a weekly schedule. Each slot denotes a specific day of the week, time, and location for food truck vending operation.
• Each permit will specify which 2 slots a specific truck may occupy; each slot must be for a different park.
• Hours of operation will be:
o Monday - Friday from 3:00pm-7:00pm
o Saturday - Sunday from 11:00am - 7:00pm
• During Culver City Unified School District Instructional Days (as set forth in the annual CCUSD School Calendar) no operations will be permitted at either El Marino Park or Lindberg Park
• No food truck operations will be permitted during City holidays.
• Permits are issued for 4-hour increments.
• Vehicle may not exceed 26 ft in length.
• The City can temporarily suspend a slot due to conflicts with other city-issued permits, such as filming or special events, or due to repair or other work which requires use of or access to the location of the vending operation.
• No food truck will be allowed to set up chairs, tables, tents, etc. on park grounds, unless:
o A field permit is obtained prior to the vending operation.
o A special event permit is obtained, if necessary based on the size and nature of the additional activity.
Required Documents for the Permit Process
• Culver City Business License
• Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Permit
o Health Inspection Certificate
o Posted Letter Grade
• Valid California Department of Tax and Fee Administrations Seller’s Permit (CDTFA)
• Signed Terms and Conditions Acknowledgment Form
• Certificate of Insurance
o $1,000,000 per occurrence
o $2,000,000 aggregate
o City named additionally insured
• According to Culver City Municipal Code § 13.03.005 and city park regulations, consuming alcohol or possessing open alcoholic beverages in public parks, playgrounds, streets, and sidewalks is prohibited. Even if a food truck has an alcohol license, vendors will not be allowed to sell alcohol in Culver City parks.
Application Details
• Applications will be accepted annually from 12:00 am on April 1 through 11:59 pm on April 30 for permits valid during the subsequent fiscal year.
• Permits will be valid for a one-year period (July through June) following the application cycle. For the 2026-2027 FY, the application will open in October 2026 for review with the permits scheduled from January-June. This sixth month period will operate as a pilot period in preparation for the April applications to officially be opened.
• Applicants must request preferred slots (i.e. park locations and days of the week) in order of preference; PRCS staff will allot each slot on a first-come, first-served basis, starting with each applicant’s preferred first choice and after all first-choice allotments are made, proceeding to the second, third, and lower ranked choices.
• Late applications will not be accepted.
• Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Grounds for Revocation of a Permit
• Failure to use a permitted slot more than two times
• Violation of any other City laws and regulations related to Food Truck vending
• Revocation of any required licenses or certifications
Review of Food Truck Regulations for Conformance with State Law
• Staff will also review the City’s existing food truck regulations (CCMC 11.09.200 et seq.) and propose updates to make them current with state law.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There will be additional revenues from the food truck permit application fees with the amount dependent on number of applications. Staff will also need to dedicate time to one of the Parks and Facilities Coordinators to review the applications and serve as a liaison for the vendors.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2026-07-27 ATT 1 PRCS Food Truck Permit Program
2. 2026-07-27 ATT 2 Feasible Park Vending Locations
recommended action
MOTION(S)
That the City Council:
1. Consider creating the proposed food truck permit program to regulate the operations of food trucks near parks; and
2. Provide recommendations to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.