A food truck park is a permitted use in the Central Business District (CBD), General Commercial (C-2) and Light Commercial (C-1) zoning districts as indicated in chapter 10 of the unified development code of the City of El Campo Code of Ordinance. The food truck park regulations and requirements do not apply to individual food trucks or the locations of those food trucks. These regulations will only apply to developments where the primary use is a food truck park and 80% of the site is reserved for food trucks. Additionally, accessory uses are not permitted without the presents of food trucks within the food truck park. A food truck park shall require a certificate of occupancy and be subject to the following requirements:
(Ordinance 2021-26 adopted 12/13/21)
(a) 
All food truck parks shall comply with all pertinent requirements of the unified development code (UDC) chapter 10 of the city’s Code of Ordinances, as well as all other applicable ordinances, statutes, rules and regulations of the city and the state.
(b) 
At no point shall food truck park remain open for 24-hours.
(c) 
If a food truck park is proposed on a site that requires a new utility connection or if a permanent structure is being constructed, the property shall be on a legally platted lot pursuant to article 10.17 of the UDC code.
(d) 
All food truck and trailer vendors shall be removed from any food truck park upon closing of the park. If a commissary is provided on-site and a food truck and trailer vendor is approved to use the site’s commissary, then that food truck and trailer vendor will not have to be removed from the site each day.
(e) 
The property owner, or his/her designated manager, of the food truck park shall be responsible for the orderly organization of all food truck and trailer vendors, the cleanliness of the park, and the park’s compliance with all rules and regulations.
(Ordinance 2021-26 adopted 12/13/21)
(a) 
The number of food truck and trailer vendor spaces allowed at the food truck park shall be calculated at one (1) vendor space per 1,000 square feet of lot space. The minimum number of vendor spaces shall be two (2). The maximum number of vendor spaces allowed on any site shall be limited to ten (10), except that a request may be made to the city council to approve an alternative number of vendors spaces. Vendor spaces do not need to be occupied at all times, but they must be shown and designed during the site plan process.
(b) 
Only one (1) food truck and trailer vendor is permitted to occupy each vendor space at the food truck park.
(c) 
No food truck and trailer vendor, permanent structures, or seating areas shall be located within the required building setbacks of the applicable zoning district. There shall be a minimum of ten (10) feet of separation between each individual food truck and trailer vendor, and a minimum of twenty (20) feet of separation between any food truck and trailer and a permanent on-site structure.
(d) 
A food truck and trailer vendor shall remain outside of a required fire lane, be located a minimum of 3' from any fire hydrant and shall not block access to a fire department connection (FDC).
(e) 
No vehicle drive-through services shall be permitted within a food truck park.
(f) 
During hours of operation, each food truck and trailer vendor shall be responsible for providing a trash receptacle for use by customers and shall ensure the area is kept clear of litter and debris at all times. A common dumpster may be provided within the food truck park if the dumpster is screened in accordance with the screening requirements.
(g) 
Any food truck park may establish or utilize a permanent structure for indoor seating, entertainment venue, or similar purposes provided the structures comply with all applicable requirements, including but not limited to building and fire department requirements.
(Ordinance 2021-26 adopted 12/13/21)
(a) 
A detailed site plan shall be required for the approval of any food truck park. At a minimum, the site plan must show the location of, and detail, the following items:
(1) 
Each food truck and trailer vendor space with appropriate separation distances;
(2) 
Outdoor grills, fryers, and smoker pad sites;
(3) 
Utility connections, including electric, gas, water, and sewer;
(4) 
On-site lighting;
(5) 
Activity areas, including playground, movie screen, stage or similar areas;
(6) 
Restrooms and hand washing facilities;
(7) 
Designated customer seating areas;
(8) 
ADA access to parking, vendors, restrooms, activity areas, and seating areas;
(9) 
Proposed parking areas including on-site and off-site spaces;
(10) 
Fire lanes and fire truck routes;
(11) 
Dumpsters and service vehicle access for waste removal, moving vendor trailers, etc.
(b) 
Access to a food truck park shall be through a single, all weather surface driveway such as concrete or directly connected to a public street and in accordance with the city’s design manual. Where on-site parking is proposed near a driveway, a minimum throat distance of 50 feet shall be provided.
(c) 
All food truck and trailer vendors shall not be parked on unimproved surfaces. All surfaces must be ADA accessible.
(d) 
Any outdoor fryer, grill, and smoker that is proposed to be placed outside a food truck and trailer vendor shall be placed on an approved all-weather material, such as concrete or asphalt, and identified on the site plan. All areas must be secured and not accessible to the public.
(e) 
Venues for live music, art performances, movies or similar activities shall be subject to the provisions provided herein, with the proposed location identified on the site plan.
(f) 
In order to improve safety, individual electrical generators shall be prohibited. All electrical services necessary to serve a food truck and trailer vendor or food truck park shall be provided through permanent on-site connections. Aerial electrical line extensions shall be prohibited.
(g) 
Individual electric service outlets with connection boxes shall be installed at each space through approved underground utility line extensions.
(h) 
Customer seating shall be provided at a minimum rate of four (4) seats per individual vendor, and may be grouped within the food truck park. Seating areas may be located within a permanent building or under a shade structure, provided said building or structure meets all minimum building and fire code requirements. Where outdoor seating is proposed, the surface shall consist of turf grass, pavement, or other improved surface that is ADA accessible.
(i) 
All food truck parks shall be in compliance with all other provisions of this Code, International Building Code, or other requirements to protect health, safety and general welfare.
(Ordinance 2021-26 adopted 12/13/21)
On-site lighting shall be provided within a food truck park and shall be in accordance with exterior lighting standards, with exception that string lights shall be permitted throughout a food truck park when a colored or warm white light is utilized. String lights shall not be placed in a manner which would establish a safety issue and should hang at a minimum of 7 feet above the ground in circulation paths.
(Ordinance 2021-26 adopted 12/13/21)
The required number of off-street parking spaces shall be calculated at a rate of two (2) parking spaces per food truck and trailer vendor, provided however that an alternate parking plan may be completed and approved.
(Ordinance 2021-26 adopted 12/13/21)
(a) 
One (1) monument sign shall be permitted for the entrance to the food truck park. The sign shall comply with all applicable sign requirements found in article 10.14 of the unified development code.
(b) 
Each food truck and trailer vendor within a food truck park may have signs mounted to their vehicle and/or trailer.
(c) 
Each food truck and trailer vendor within a food truck park may have one (1) “A-frame” sign, not to exceed three (3) feet in height, immediately adjacent to their vehicle for the purpose of displaying a menu or special advertisement.
(Ordinance 2021-26 adopted 12/13/21)
(a) 
In the vicinity of every five (5) food trucks within the food truck park there shall be a minimum of one (1) restroom. The restroom can be portable; however, all portable restrooms must be removed within 48 hours after all operations.
(b) 
In the vicinity of every two (2) food trucks within the food truck park there shall be minimum of one (1) hand washing station, or hand sanitation station.
(Ordinance 2021-26 adopted 12/13/21)
Playgrounds, movie areas, stages for musical or art performances, or similar are encouraged within a food truck park. Said areas shall be oriented away from neighboring uses to reduce noise and light, and potential nuisance.
(Ordinance 2021-26 adopted 12/13/21)
(a) 
All food truck parks shall meet the landscaping requirements of article 10.13 of the UDC.
(b) 
Food truck parks adjacent to single-family or multi-family zoned property, shall provide a landscape buffer per the requirements of article 10.13 of this code.
(c) 
Park owners are encouraged to provide for an aesthetically-pleasing environment within the park, which includes shade and seating elements in addition to pervious groundcover.
(Ordinance 2021-26 adopted 12/13/21)