New DC Regs Could Kill Off Food Trucks

Would have lottery system to determine who gets good spots

For the past few months, Basil Thyme owner Brian Farrell had been trying to decide what to do with his lasagna and pasta food trucks. Despite having the highest-rated D.C. trucks on Yelp, he was barely making money, especially in the winter.

Then, two weeks ago, D.C.'s Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs released the latest round of proposed food truck regulations. The rules would create special zones throughout the city that would limit how many trucks could vend where. A monthly lottery system would determine who gets the spots. Those who didn't win or want a place in the so-called "mobile roadway vending zones" would have to stay at least 500 feet away in metered parking spots with at least ten feet of unobstructed sidewalk. That could push many out of the central business district.