Should L.A. ban food trucks from parking on city streets? Tell us what you think.

A Los Angeles City councilman intensified debate in the city over food trucks last Friday by introducing two motions that could lead to the trucks being banned on city streets.

One proposal from Councilman Tom LaBonge asks city staff to study what other cities have done and to look into prohibiting trucks from parking at metered spaces in commercially zoned areas. The other calls for a report on the creation of specially designated catering-truck parking zones.

Food truck owners and patrons -- famous for their fervor and their mastery of social media sites such as Twitter -- have mounted a campaign against the proposals and the councilman himself.

Someone has set up a Facebook page called "Los Angelinos Against Labonge." An online petition "against any city bill that would limit access to the food trucks" had racked up 2,000 digital signatures in just three days. Food truck supporters accosted LaBonge during his community bicycle ride Wednesday evening to complain about his proposals. On Twitter, where the controversy became a major local topic Wednesday, one post urged food truck supporters to attend the ride to tell LaBonge "you don't approve of his hatred of food trucks!"

The Times' Kate Linthicum reports on the growing food truck fight. What do you think? Share your opinions below.

Photo: Councilman Tom LaBonge, right, speaks with Dan Nathan about LaBonge's proposal to limit food trucks on Wilshire Boulevard. "Everybody in the building loves having the food trucks," said Nathan, who works nearby. Credit: John W. Adkisson / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Al]

The primary problem with these food trucks is the proliferation of them. In the East San Fernando Valley, take a drive up Foothill Blvd. At least half a dozen appear on any given day, between Paxton and Polk streets. They set up chairs and tables on the side walk, restaurant style. Their patrons meanwhile will make illegal u-turns, park on private property, ect to get their meal. When the dust settles and they close up shop for the night, no one does trash collection. Refuse left behind is simply left to nature to blow away. It's third-worldish at best, and dangerously unsanitary at least. There are no restrooms available (patrons simply walk to the side of the aforementioned businesses and perform their biological duties), no Purell or antibacterial cleaners, and is simply out-of-control. Such trucks need to either be limited to take-out services via the window only (no setting up restaurants on the streets), or provide the necessary facilities (adequate parking, restrooms, and waste management) needed for sit-down dining.

[Daniel]

Mr. LaBonge...don't we already have enough people collecting unemployment? Isn't the city already in huge deficit it can't get out of? I think you should resign along with other members who have nothing better to do and save the city some money.

[iphonejunkiexl]

I eat at different food trucks at least 3 times a week and have been for almost a year...the number of times I've gotten sick off of one? Zero The number of times I have gotten sick from a traditional restaurant in the same time period...a few.
The amount of times I see people leave the trash from the food trucks lying around on the ground? Zero(sorry if people in Venice are pigs, but they certainly are not everywhere else) I see people throw bags of trash on the street from fast food joints on a weekly basis....so I guess this means we should also close down Jack in the Box.
Trucks take up precious space at meters spots? The fact that this is even an argument with the sheer amount of parking available in this city is absurd and not legitimate. This isn't NYC people. They are taking up one or two spots at the most for a few hours a day, get over it.
The trucks provide a much needed service of different and interesting food to areas(like the valley) which otherwise have little to offer other then fast food chains. The idea that these are somehow roach coaches, dirty and run poorly just lead me to believe that most of the people posting negative comments have never actually eaten at one....and by eaten at one, I mean a high end truck like kogi, world fare or buttermilk. They provide jobs, revenue to the city, a sense of community and great food at a cheap price. And the problem with all that is?
The way I see it is this is an attack by traditional restaurants who feel threaten by them. Perhaps if they weren't so afraid of the competition then we wouldn't even be having this discussion.
Someone should take a look at who's stuffing LaBonge's pockets with dough...bet if you follow the money the truth will come out and it won't have anything to do with the food trucks causing any problems!

[Dylan]

Food trucks are a part of LA culture. They make the city a better place to live. If LaBonge doesn't like them, he can move out to the desert or the Central Valley and be unencumbered by them for the rest of his days.

[Sergio]

I think the city should just limit how many lunch trucks are in our City streets, have them up to code with city cleanlyness and not in busy internections. Most of there food taste better than restaurants anyways..

[Novella Whaley]

NO!! Leave them be...what kind of madness is this?!! lol...sheesh...Why does it seem like politicians love to trample the small business owners literally trying to make a buck! The food is great, fresh and has become part of the "L.A Scene". Why BAN them? Its either 0 or 10 with the city sometimes I swear. Instead try to come to a medium.

[JC]

why do politicians have to try to ban something every time someone does not like it. how about solving the issue somewhere in the middle so that all parties can be some what happy?
what we really need to do is ban politicians, all they do is mess everything up!

[Jeff K.]

These things are a public nuisance and should only be allowed on construction sites and in parking lots where the owner has given permission. Parking is tight enough downtown. Not to mention the food poisoning and unsanitary conditions. Or did some of you think you were supposed to feel that way after lunch?

[donald]

Do you know that most permanent businesses sign a Non Competitive clause with the landlord and overnight to have competitions park in front of their doors. In many locations these lunch trucks Cannot park any where they want especially around constructions etc, they have to pay to the local thugs, city authorities are similar to those non conforming thugs and they both collect fees on businesses. So in many ways city give the right to these brick and mortar businesses the right to conduct buss in their localities and now they are breaking their own contract ?

[Darren]

The implication behind this article is that there are parking issues in LA. Parking in most of LA is not bad compared to San Francisco or New York.

Additionally, there are already an enormous amount of cars in LA. The best thing to do would be develop better bus and light-rail systems, and to add car-share programs to the city which are already used in New York, San Francisco, and other cities.

More walking boulevards, like the 3rd street promenade would also be a huge help. One city street- Olympic or Pico maybe, should be converted to a walking boulevard which people can use as a public park that also serves as an infrastructure system....Boardwalks are popular along the beach, why not through the city? (Food carts would be a lovely addition to such a boardwalk)

[Charles]

I love these food trucks. They are the best. Better than any fast food chain.

[donald]

I support Councilman Tom LaBonge, and this is not a matter of voting but a matter of keeping the city within its own rule and commitment to those permanent businesses. To get a permit to open a business require a buss owner to thru so many rule and regulations by the city and now the city so conviniently not enforcing those rules and regulations on these lunch trucks. I hope legal buss within the city limits will sue the city for breaking their own rule.

[Charles Carpenter]

Ban The Roach Coaches!

[The answer]

If you want to eat @ a food truck - that is your choice. If the truck is parked @ a meter - that's money for the city. If the truck violates the meter - that's money for the city. I think the city needs to regulate the trucks to a food standard, just like a restaurant is regulated - which again is money for the city. I'm all about business wether big or small - competition thrives in LA.
So the places on wilshire are losing money to the trucks - they need to do something about it, other than cry to Labonge. If I worked at any of those business's along affected area's I'd have my employee's park in the spots to block the trucks. Operating within the lines is the best strategy. BTW aren't their bigger problems in the world that we should be addressing.

[donald]

This is not a matter of what people want or their conviniencies, what if someone would like to sell food in front of their houses, can we allow that?. Health dept does not even allow anyone to sell fruits from residential fruit trees among many of their regulations. So what is next ?

[Carole Austin]

These trucks have become very aggressive and seem to be parking anywhere they wish. There should be designated parking areas and they should be made to adhere.

[Jonathan]

No way
I love the food trucks
something for everyone
if we ban food trucks from parking then we should ban Clubs taking over entire city blocks and reducing the # of parking in those areas

[Brad Cordeiro]

The City of Los Anfgeles has already made it impossible to shoot a film or renovate a home without huge resources and now it looks like they're ready to add food preparation to that list.

It shouldn"t be illegal to compete with fixed-location restaurants, if they're concerned about competition, they should offer a better experience to diners than a food truck.

[Dave]

Honestly, with all of the problems in Los Angeles THIS IS HEADLINE NEWS!!!!!!! This is just another douche bag trying to make a name for himself. Roach Coaches ROCK!!!!!!!!

[J. Dillon]

These trucks are already at all of the meters at 9 am when legal parking begins at the spot where I go for physical rehabilitation. My handicap plackard is rendered useless and I have now to trek 2 blocks to the offices. These trucks also employ 'stooge cars' that are at the meters with drivers at the wheel. When the food truck finds a convenient time to serve the lunch crowd, they pull up beside the stooge, the stooge pulls out and the truck pulls in. Metered parking spaces were meant for commuters' convenience, NOT for 'for profit' businesses to hog. This is simply abuse of public space. To those bleeding hearts that want to give the 'little guy' a break or want a cheap sandwich for YOUR convenience, think out ALL aspects of the situation.

[Juan]

I really think that LA should ban Mc, Donals, and leave the taco trucks alone,
Its all about paying taxes, just have the owners of the taco trucks pay taxes, and let them make a living.

[Someone]

Banning FOOD TRUCKS?!? They are a California tradition! This is a STUPID idea! Food trucks are great...Anyway, California is BROKE and we have better things to worry about than this. I have an idea, why don't we take the money we would use enforcing this stupid law and give it TO SCHOOLS? Taco trucks are not an important issue in California. I can't believe anyone would have the nerve to think of something this harmless when it is obvious to everyone that California has MUCH bigger problems!!!

[Emanuel]

NOT CHEAP, NOT GOOD..lot's of complaints about food borne illnesses...
Food trucks should be allowed only during the day for construction zones or areas where food or drinks are hard to get. Most of these trucks operate below health standards..the only ones that benefit are the trucks operators, cash only, most likely do not pay all taxes if any..and it is not fair for regular restaurant owners that have to struggle with tax hikes, land lords and insurance companies such as workmen's compensation and stuff, I have been in the restaurant business a long time and can tell you that these trucks are not a good idea..I have seen them park on red and stuff, nobody tells them anything? The city council should look into the matter thoroughly.

[Rickster]

so long as the trucks pay meters, taxes and play by the rules, all is good. if anything, we should be dealing with the cars with handicap parking permits that park all day at meters (especially downtown).

[David]

Food quality isn't the issue. Give them a dedicated lot if you like, but tying-up street parking in a business district is harmful to the local commerce. A street full of food trucks makes the city look like a third-world berg. Keep after it Tom!