City Council advances food truck regulation changes

By Camille DeVaul · Wed Dec 17 2025

Ad hoc committee recommendations prompt immediate operational updates, while zoning amendments head to PlanningCommission for further review

PASO ROBLES — During the Tuesday, Dec. 17 City Council meeting, the Paso Robles City Council moved forward with updates to food truck regulations, aiming to clarify permitting requirements and improve operational standards for mobile vendors. 

Following a request from Councilmember Steve Gregory at the May 6, City Council meeting, staff initiated a broader review of food truck regulations. On Aug. 5, City Council held a legislative review of food truck regulations, during which staff outlined the current permitting process and noted ambiguities in the municipal code that complicate enforcement. 

On Oct. 1, 2024, the Paso Robles City Council approved updates to the Zoning Code, including revisions to Section 21.69.120, which governs permitting and operational standards for food trucks. Under the current regulations, all food trucks operating within city limits must comply with these standards, hold a valid city business license, and maintain an active San Luis Obispo County health permit. Trucks operating in a single location for more than seven days in a calendar year must also obtain a Temporary Use Permit (TUP). As of July 2025, the city has 23 licensed mobile vendors and two active TUPs. However, enforcement remains difficult due to vague language in the code. Between April and June, the city received 36 mobile vendor-related service calls, highlighting ongoing concerns about compliance and regulation.

Local concerns have focused on the concentration of food trucks in the downtown area and along major corridors such as Spring Street, Creston Road, and Niblick Road. Food truck operators have raised issues about limited eligible sites and lack of clarity around recent updates, while brick-and-mortar restaurants worry about unfair competition.

To address confusion surrounding the continuously confusing language regarding permits, the City Council approved the creation of an ad hoc committee. 

The ad hoc committee met on Sept. 22 and Nov. 12, 2025, with strong public participation. Discussions focused on generator noise, consistency between city policies and zoning standards, fire inspection requirements, complaints related to food trucks, accessory furniture, application of the seven-day rule at special events, setbacks, Temporary Use Permit requirements, and proximity to downtown. 

Owner of Yabba Dabba Dogs, Bill Saylor, addressed the City Council during public comment regarding the proposed recommendations.

"Complaints about the food trucks increased dramatically between April and August of 2025. I actually requested and received complaint documentation from the Paso PD," he said. "The documents show that a total of 49 complaints were received by the Paso Robles Police Department during that time period. Of those 49 complaints, only 16 — that's 32% — dealt with food trucks. The other 33 complaints, 68% dealt with the fruit, flower, trinket vendors and people selling food in parking lots and out of their cars."

Saylor raised concerns about the recommendations from staff, noting that they did not align with what he saw at the last AD Hoc meeting.

"Additionally, requesting that a business within the city limits hosting seven or more events a year ... apply for a TUP is just adding another administrative and financial burden to businesses already struggling in an uncertain and competitive business arena," Saylor said.

With Saylor and other food truck operators who frequently move between locations in mind, Councilmember Steve Gregory acknowledged Saylor’s concerns about the need to apply for multiple permits.

"Because these are zoning code amendments, this is going to go back to the planning commission and then ultimately back to the city council ... this kind of feedback is very useful," Community Development Director, Warren Frace said.

City Council unanimously approved several operational changes that would take effect immediately. Among the key updates is a requirement that food trucks use generator acoustic panels to reduce noise impacts on nearby properties and the public right-of-way, ensuring compliance with the city’s Noise Ordinance.

The committee also clarified rules regarding accessory furniture associated with food trucks. Tables, chairs, and shade structures will not be permitted in the public right-of-way, such as sidewalks or parkways, or in locations that obstruct pedestrian or vehicle circulation, ingress, or egress. Food trucks may provide limited seating, including one shade structure no larger than 120 square feet, tables totaling no more than 24 square feet, and up to eight chairs.

Additional requirements address location and setback requirements. Food trucks with service windows facing a public right-of-way will be required to maintain a minimum setback of nine feet. No setback will be required for service windows facing inward toward a commercial lot. Shade canopies, tables, and chairs will be allowed within the setback area, and the zoning administrator will be given discretion to adjust setback requirements on a case-by-case basis to accommodate unique site conditions.

Also required is restricting the issuance of Temporary Use Permits for food trucks on private property located within 100 feet of City Park.

Council also approved a set of items to be sent back to the Planning Commission for further review and revision as part of a proposed Zoning Code amendment. Council directed staff to process amendments to Paso Robles Municipal Code Section 21.69.120 to implement Ad Hoc Committee recommendations, including requiring a Temporary Use Permit for all food trucks operating and vending to the public within the city, with an exception for food trucks serving solely as caterers for private events. The proposed changes would also require on-site commercial businesses that host more than seven food truck events per year to obtain a Temporary Use Permit for food trucks participating in recurring events.

The next City Council Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2026, at 6 p.m. in the Norris Room at Centennial Park.