Residents to again have their say on food trucks
Public hearing scheduled for Sept. 20
Food trucks may be appearing in Charles County’s commercial districts later this year.
The Board of Charles County Commissioners have scheduled a hearing on Sept. 20 at 6 p.m. on Zoning Text Amendment 16-140, which would allow mobile food service facilities, commonly known as “food trucks,” to operate in the county.
The commissioners voted unanimously to move the legislation to a public hearing; Commissioners’ Vice President Debra Davis (D)
was absent at Tuesday’s meeting.
“This was initiated by the county commissioners some months ago, and we’ve done some extensive research on this issue,” said Steve Ball, county planning director.
The legislation would allow food trucks to operate in various commercial districts in the county.
“We think they could work well in the redevelopment area,” Ball said.
Operating hours would be between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. under the proposed legislation. Written permission from the property owners where the food truck is parked would have to be obtained, and access to restroom facilities would have to be made available for facilities managers and staff.
“They would be subject to Maryland sales and use tax,” Ball said.
Mobile Service Facility Permits from the planning and growth management department and the health department would have to be obtained.
“They would be subject to the same health inspections as brick-andmortar restaurants,” Ball said.
No tables or chairs are allowed under the ordinance, and trash receptacles would need to be provided, Ball said.
Food trucks are permitted in Montgomery County and are regulated as vendors, Ball said. Prince George’s County passed an ordinance in 2015 allowing food trucks in designated “Food Truck Hubs” under certain restrictions.
A public hearing before the planning commission was held May 2. Ball said 14 speakers spoke in favor of the food truck legislation and nine spoke against it before the planning commission approved the legislation.
Ball said the results of the public hearing will be made available on BoardDocs prior to the Sept. 20 hearing.