Lancaster staff: zoning rewrite will address food‑truck rules; temporary operations now governed by district and owner permission

Council members pressed staff for clarity on the rules for food trucks operating on private property in Lancaster. Planning staff said the city’s current zoning does not require a special food‑truck permit: food trucks are allowed in B‑3 or commercial districts if the property owner gives permission and the operator holds a business license. Staff said festival operations already require insurance and other safety measures.

"Currently, our zoning code has no requirement. It has to be done in a B‑3 district or a commercial district," a planning staff member replied when asked about the rules, adding that the city is updating land‑use regulations and has been consulting with a planning consultant to see how other municipalities regulate food trucks.

Council members asked whether the city would require specific site improvements — for example, paved surfaces, power sources rather than generators, and bathroom access — and staff said some cities do require such features; the Lancaster code review will consider those standards. Staff estimated a draft land‑use update for council and planning commission review in approximately six months.

Council asked staff to ensure the consultant and planners consider the balance between supporting mobile vendors and protecting established brick‑and‑mortar businesses, and to report back on recommended insurance, waste‑management and site‑safety requirements.

Next steps: planning staff will proceed with the zoning and subdivision regulation update and return a draft to the planning commission and council for review.