Food truck ordinance adopted

An accompanying city resolution will establish the specific food truck operation regulations.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – The city has a new ordinance in place limiting food truck operations to private properties located in C-1 (commercial) zoning districts.

On Jan. 26, city commissioners voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance 23913 on its second and final reading. The ordinance establishes the areas where food trucks are allowed to operate on a general basis.

Anna Maria’s C-1 zoning districts include privately-owned properties at the corner of Pine Avenue and South Bay Boulevard, the Galati Yacht Sales and marina property at the end of South Bay Boulevard, several Gulfside properties between Elm Avenue and Magnolia Avenue (including the Chiles Hospitality Group properties) and some properties along Gulf Drive between Magnolia Avenue and Palmetto Avenue. Food trucks will be allowed elsewhere during special events, as permitted by the city commission. An accompanying city resolution to be presented at the commission’s next meeting will establish the specific food truck regulations that address operational hours, the size and number of trucks allowed, trash disposal and more.

The areas highlighted in red are C-1 (commercial) zone districts that allow food truck operations.

Last year, the commission discarded a proposed food truck ordinance that would have created a designated food truck zone at the northwest end of Bayfront Park – a location that garnered opposition from several residents and property owners in that area.

“This version of the food truck ordinance is much better than the first attempt. This really hones in on what the city should be doing. I’m all for it,” Commissioner Jon Crane said during Thursday’s meeting. The mayor and commission’s efforts to adopt a food truck ordinance are a response to state legislation adopted in 2020 that prohibits city and county governments from prohibiting food trucks citywide or countywide.

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