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ACTION ITEM: Receive and File the Updates Regarding the Food Truck Permit Program
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Meeting Date: September 1, 2026
Contact Person/Dept.: Tomás Herrera-Mishler / PRCS
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 - Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission (08/27/2026); (E-Mail) Parks, Recreation & Community Service Department Updates (08/27/2026)
Department Approval: Tomás Herrera-Mishler, PRCS Director (08/27/2026) _____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission receive and file the report regarding the food truck permit program.
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 is limited to 12 days per calendar year. (CCMC § 17.520.015.B.1.a.)
During the February 9, 2026, City Council Regular Meeting, residents requested that City Council 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 the limits on the number of special events at which such vendors may operate per year.
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.
Staff has continued to refine the proposed program based on feedback received from the PRCS Commission and questions raised by City Council at its July 27, 2026, meeting. The revisions address operational considerations, including parking location rotation, vehicle idling, consistency in permitting requirements, waste disposal, community feedback, and the re-evaluation of including Fox Hills Park.
Staff is currently working with the City Attorney’s Office (CAO) to finalize the ordinance and regulations associated with the program. The ordinance and regulations will be presented as attachments when the item is brought forward to City Council for consideration. This report is intended as an informational update to the Commission.
DISCUSSION
During the Regular City Council meeting on July 27, 2026, staff presented the following program to regulate food truck operations near parks.
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. 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
City Council Follow-Up
In response to questions raised by City Council on July 27, 2026, staff is incorporating the following considerations into the pilot program:
• Parking location: PRCS will coordinate with Traffic regarding signage and will place temporary signs 12-24 hours in advance. Where feasible, staff will slightly rotate the parking position within the approved area to avoid a truck consistently being located in front of the same residence.
• Vehicle idling: Food truck operators will remain subject to applicable State vehicle idling requirements. Staff is also coordinating with the CAO regarding whether additional regulations are appropriate.
• Permit requirements: The proposed documentation requirements are generally consistent with those applicable to sidewalk vendors, with additional site-specific requirements addressed through the City's designated locations.
• Waste and food service ware: Staff will coordinate with Public Works regarding trash, recycling, and organics collection. Vendors will also be required to comply with the City's existing polystyrene and food service ware regulations.
• Pilot evaluation: Staff anticipates conducting a mid-pilot survey of nearby residents, park users, and adjacent businesses, along with an evaluation of permit utilization, compliance, and enforcement issues.
• Fox Hills Park: Staff recommends excluding Fox Hills Park during the pilot due to the planned bike lane on Buckingham Parkway and potential pedestrian and bicycle safety conflicts. The location may be reevaluated in the future.
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
None.
recommended action
MOTION(S)
That the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission:
1. Receive and file the report