After months of complaints about noise, blocked sidewalks, and unfair competition, the Paso Robles City Council is moving forward with an overhaul of the city’s food truck rules—including a new annual permit requirement that could cost some vendors about $214 a year.
On May 5, the council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance requiring nearly all food trucks serving the public on private property to obtain a temporary use permit, regardless of how long they stay in one location. The proposal removes a seven-day exemption that city staff said created confusion and made enforcement difficult.
The changes build on regulations approved in December after the city received 49 complaints related to food trucks and street vendors between April and August 2025. Complaints included generator noise, downtown congestion, and concerns from brick-and-mortar businesses about competition from mobile vendors.
“As a brick-and-mortar business, we have made a significant financial investment in our location, equipment, and long-term presence in this community,” local business owner Adan Torres, owner of Paletería y Nevería Las Michoacanas wrote in a public comment. “We find it unfair that a mobile vendor can park and conduct business so close to our storefront.”
In response to the complaints, the city formed an ad hoc Food Truck Committee in August 2025 to review the rules and gather feedback from residents, vendors, and business owners.
Assistant Planner Piper Smith said the updated rules are mainly aimed at creating a clearer permitting system and more consistent enforcement.
“So, as you can see, food trucks are permitted,” Smith told the council. “No change has been made to where they are allowed—just what permit is required where they’re allowed.”
Food trucks would still only be allowed in commercial areas, not residential neighborhoods or open space zones.
In addition to permits, the City Council also added regulations related to noise and sidewalks. Trucks serving toward sidewalks must stay 9 feet back to keep walkways clear, and seating and shade structures are allowed only if they don’t block circulation or extend unto public right-of-way. The city also allowed generators only if they are fitted with sound-reducing panels to help address noise concerns.
Under the proposed rules, all food trucks selling directly to the public would need a temporary use permit unless they are catering a private event. Businesses hosting seven or more food truck events each year would also need permits for recurring events.
The permit fee would be about $214, according to city staff. While temporary permits already existed for some operators, vendors previously exempt under the seven-day rule may now face the added annual cost.
Smith said the city also hopes to simplify the permitting process by syncing permit renewals with annual business license renewals and coordinating reviews between city departments and county health officials.
“The goal is it’s a one-touch system,” Smith said. “So, although you’re potentially dealing with multiple departments, it happens at one time.”
The ordinance would also remove a rule requiring food trucks operating in one location for more than a year to go through a separate site review process. Staff said no vendors had ever applied for it and that it conflicted with the temporary nature of food trucks.
“I think the end result is going to be better, easier, clearer, potentially more efficient for everybody involved,” Councilmember Kris Beal said.
Councilmember Chris Bausch said removing the seven-day exemption would help the city address complaints about vendors operating without permits.
“It allows the enforcement officer to approach the truck and inquire, ‘Do you have a temporary use permit, business license, health department requirements?’” Smith explained. “So, if they do not have the necessary permitting or are not meeting the operational requirements, they would be asked to leave.”
During public comment, local business owner Jerry Torres asked when the city would begin enforcing the 9-foot setback rules near existing businesses. Smith said enforcement is already underway, though some currently permitted sites will be reevaluated when permits come up for renewal later this year.
The council voted 5-0 to approve the ordinance on first reading. The measure will return for final approval at a future meeting. ∆
This article appears in May 14-21, 2026.