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Can You Park a Food Truck on a Private Property?

Yes, you can park a food truck on private property as long as you have the permission of the owner. However, it is imperative to note that cities and counties in the United States tend to have their own specific zoning laws that dictate the right places for food trucks to park.

While starting a food truck can be quite easy, there are numerous restrictions on where and when food trucks can park on the street, and a good number of cities forbid it entirely.

Aside from that, also note that other rules of the road including not parking close to crosswalks, fire hydrants, and certain bus stops also apply to food trucks. You will also be expected to be fully in compliance with other industry-specific food truck parking rules.

Howbeit, there are alternatives to street parking. A good number of modern food trucks have made fortunes from parking on private property or at an event. Have it in mind that these events extend past weddings and neighborhood get-togethers.

Today, there is a plethora of private property parking options for food trucks. Leveraging these locations brings a food truck close to its patrons and ensures that you can keep advertising to the right audience.

Private Places Where a Food Truck Can Park

Indeed, there are a plethora of private places where you can park your food truck in the United States. These places include;

  1. Residential Parking

Parking in a residential area brings your food truck much closer to its patrons; however, in a good number of cities, food trucks are prohibited from parking in residential areas. Most often, a food truck will need to be invited in by the apartment management or an HOA to be granted access to park in residential areas.

There are places where the HOAs work in tandem with a good number of trucks to provide varying meals for their residents at varying times of the week. They often offer these incentives as a perk to attract residents as well as to foster community.

  1. Event Parking

In recent years, event organizers and hosts have started to leverage food trucks as catering options. Food trucks have grown to become a very important part of the food industry and they offer assorted, professional, and delicious meals for just about any occasion.

Whether it is a wedding reception or a holiday party, a food truck will make it nice, fun, and exciting. Most often in this kind of arrangement, it is necessary you get a guarantee that you will make a certain minimum number of sales. Don’t forget to stay updated on all happening events and the best points to leverage the crowd.

You can get information from your city council pages or even follow social media accounts that share events in your area.

  1. College Campus Parking

This is indeed another cool location to make good money selling foods from your truck. College students are known to always be on the go and meals served from trucks that are quite easy to eat tend to resonate with them.

In recent times, some schools now invite food trucks into their premises to guarantee that their students get to enjoy varying cuisines between classes. Some also have a good agreement with food trucks to park permanently within their premises and are incorporating them into their meal plans.

  1. Brewery Parking

It is a known fact that the products provided by both breweries and food trucks often go together. Owing to that, the beer and food truck industries have enjoyed a good relationship that has spanned decades. Since most breweries do not serve food, they most often get reliable food trucks to park and dish tasty meals to their clients.

As a Food trucker, have it in mind that parking your food truck at a brewery periodically provides you with the freedom to visit other locations and attend more events.

  1. Park Parking

This sort of private parking is not available in most places; however, it remains a thing in cities like Austin, L.A., and Portland where food trucks are more of a culture than a business opportunity. These parks are known to house a good number of trucks and tend to draw in massive foot traffic.

Although it may seem counterintuitive to park next to your competition, have it in mind that food truck operators experience good sales when they vend from a food truck park. Although not every individual walking down the street needs to stop for a meal, note that people consciously visit food truck parks with the intention to try different delicacies.

If you make delicious salads, you don’t have to bother that your patrons won’t drive to your location just for salads, because there are many other interesting items for sale in the food truck park.

  1. Farmer’s Market Parking

This is another awesome location to leverage if you are looking to sell locally sourced, organic, and healthy food options.

Aside from being a good place to buy groceries and other locally produced items, these markets are social events where you can often find a combination of craft fairs and live music. Owing to that, if farmer’s market patrons linger to enjoy the event, your food truck will serve as that point for locally made meals.

  1. Gas Station Parking

If you can obtain permission from the gas station management to park your truck and vend a couple of times a week, then this is a viable option to consider. Gas stations are known to bring in a good number of clients who might also want to use that opportunity to exercise their tired legs or quench their hunger.

Owing to that, consider reaching out to gas stations along major highway routes and near truck stops to see if you can cater to the culinary needs of hungry travelers and truck drivers.

Although some gas stations feature restaurants and other grocery shopping points, have it in mind that not all do. As such, take your time to look into gas stations with little to no hot food options. You can also reach out to those who offer hot food options since more businesses are beginning to understand the benefits of hosting a food truck in their location.

Conclusion

While starting a food truck can be quite easy, there are numerous restrictions on where and when food trucks can park on the street, and a good number of cities forbid it entirely.

You will have to take into consideration zoning rules and parking restrictions when choosing the ideal location for your truck. Owing to that, you should always check in with your local Chamber of Commerce or the SBA to determine exactly what you need.

Aside from that, have it in mind that most cities or counties tend to make available a full list of locations where you can and cannot park