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Temple Terrace finds food-trailer owner in violation of commercial-vehicle ordinance; board sets Feb. 11 compliance date
Summary
The board found Jose Garcia in violation after photographic evidence showed a food trailer parked at 409 Biltmore Ave. The hearing included extended discussion about whether daytime preparation constitutes allowable loading/unloading; the board set a Feb. 11 compliance deadline and a $25-per-day fine for noncompliance.
The City of Temple Terrace Municipal Code Enforcement Board on Jan. 14 found that a food trailer at 409 Biltmore Avenue violated the city’s commercial-vehicle/parking ordinance.
Code Compliance Officer Doug Allen presented photographs and testimony that a food trailer had been stored in the respondent’s driveway on multiple inspection dates. Allen identified exhibits showing the trailer in place on dates in December 2025 and reinspection photos in January 2026 and said the site was not in compliance.
Respondent Jose Garcia, who said he operates a home-based food-truck business, described operational constraints: storage facilities close after hours and the storage locations do not provide water or power necessary for cleaning and prepping. “That’s how I pay my mortgage,” Garcia said, explaining the trailer is essential to his income and that he typically returns the trailer to off-site storage overnight. Garcia said he attempts to limit overnight storage at the home but sometimes must prepare on-site because of lack of water and power at the storage facility.
Code staff and board members reviewed the ordinance language, which prohibits parking of commercial vehicles (one-ton vehicles or larger and commercial trailers) in residential zoning districts except for temporary loading and unloading. Board members debated how to interpret “loading and unloading” (activity-based versus a time limit). Staff said they are willing to work with individual operators on reasonable accommodations but cautioned that habitual daytime presence that appears to be storage is treated as parking and a violation.
Following discussion, the board found a violation and ordered correction by Feb. 11, 2026. The motion set a $25-per-day fine beginning after that date if the trailer remains in violation. The board also encouraged the respondent and code staff to meet to discuss reasonable operational parameters for daytime loading/unloading.
What happens next: Garcia must either change his operational practices or secure a storage/operation arrangement that meets city code; if the trailer remains in violation after Feb. 11 the board’s fine will be applied.
