City considers taco truck rules

Such vendors are currently classified as out-of-town businesses and permitted through the county. These permits allow the trucks to conduct business in any of the cities within the county and does require a health check. It does not, however, regulate where the trucks conduct business. It also does not bring in tax money into San Bruno. The proposed change would allow San Bruno to charge these vendors as well as to regulate how long they are parked on El Camino Real and near other local businesses.

The city was not sure what regulations thes vendors adhere to, said Mayor Larry Franzella. With what seems to be an increasing number of trucks in San Bruno, the questions remain but the concerns heighten, he said.

There are 226 large food trucks registered countywide. These trucks undergo a health inspection each year, with many of the same regulations as a normal restaurant, said Dean Peterson, director of environmental health for San Mateo County. The county permit does require an annual fee ranging from about $200 to $700 depending on the size of the mobile vendor and what is done within it, he said.

The city code defines a peddler as a person who engages in business in or along the streets or sidewalks within the city.

The new classification would mean a truck could remain parked in one location for only 10 minutes and could not be within 200 feet of a school, park or playground. The business would need to provide up-to-date medical certificates and proof of auto insurance. Mobile vendors would not be allowed to operate on private property, even with the business owner’s permission.

"We require parking so that there is parking, not for food vendors,” said Franzella.

State law requires a change every 30 minutes for health reasons, like the lack of rest room access, said Peterson. Other cities within the county have similar ordinances in both South San Francisco and Redwood City, trucks cannot remain for more than 30 minutes. In Redwood City, the trucks must also be permitted through the city.

In San Bruno, a peddler’s permit costs $40 per day and $10 each day after. This might be a bit much, however, so the City Council will also consider implementing a business tax. The business tax is different depending on the business, but would generally cost $75 for a business which makes less than $75,000 annually. Any money generated from a tax would go into the city’s general fund, said City Manager Connie Jackson.

If the classification is changed, vendors would be required to have a permit starting May 1.

The council meets 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 28 at the Senior Center, 1555 Crystal Springs Road.

Heather Murtagh can be reached by e-mail: heather@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 105. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.

Erik Oeverndiek/Daily Journal

Rudy Montez makes tacos on his taco truck on El Camino Real in San Bruno yesterday. The city may change its rules to force Montez’s and similar trucks to pay fees and change their routes so they do not remain in a certain spot for more than 10 minutes.

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