New Food Truck Rules Approved For Artesia

Food trucks wanting to make their rounds in Artesia will have an easier time thanks to an ordinance approved 3-0 by the City Council that expands operating hours and frequency for food trucks.

The new rules allow individual food trucks doing permitted business within city limits to operate 52 times a year between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. However, food trucks can only stay a maximum of two hours at one location and are prohibited from vending in commercial and residential zones.

This could pave the way to seeing more churches, non-profit organizations and the city holding food truck events for fundraising purposes, adding to the .

Council member Victor Manalo said he would like more food trucks visiting Artesia but is worried that these rules may hinder food trucks from setting up shop in the city because of the permit process.

“I’m wondering if we’re discouraging food trucks from Artesia because now we’re asking them to get a permit to actually operate their food truck in the city,” he said. “With all of this stuff that has to be done in order to get a permit, I’m afraid most trucks will say ‘Forget it. I’m not going to park in Artesia. I’ll just go next door to Cerritos’.”

City Attorney Kevin Ennis said that food trucks participating in an event sponsored by the city of Artesia or a non-profit organization such as a church are exempt from the ordinance. Other non-profits such as schools must seek city authorization before hosting food trucks gatherings.

“For example, if the city of Artesia wanted to have an event at the park or in the parking lot or on a particular street, you could authorize a food truck without having to go through the permitting process,” he explained to Manalo.

Manalo was satisfied with Ennis’ explanation and joined Mayor Pro Tem Sally Flowers and Council member Tony Lima in supporting the ordinance.

The next city council meeting will be held on Sept. 10 at 7 p.m.