A new piece of legislation proposed by Jacksonville District 5 City Councilman Joe Carlucci is aiming to ban food trucks from operating at gas stations across Duval County. Set to go before the full City Council for a vote on Tuesday, April 8, the ordinance seeks to address growing safety, health, and regulatory concerns tied to mobile food vendors operating in high-risk locations like fuel stations.

Why the Ban?

While Florida law protects food trucks from being banned citywide, municipalities do have the authority to regulate where these trucks can operate. “This ordinance is all about public safety,” said Carlucci. “After speaking with our Fire Chief, local community residents, and food truck operators, we were all in agreement that having highly combustible food trailers at highly flammable gas stations is a safety concern. Every food truck operator at my recent meeting last week said “this would not impact me at all.” The food trailer we originally checked had no fire inspections done whatsoever. This is major concern and something I do not believe we should take a risk with at gas stations.”Jacksonville’s proposed ordinance joins a growing trend across Florida, as cities craft location-specific rules to address public safety and neighborhood impacts.

Three major concerns associated with food trucks at gas stations:

1. Safety First

Gas stations and food trucks don’t mix well. The combination of flammable fuels and hot cooking equipment in close quarters poses a real fire hazard.

• Fire Risks: Gas vapors and open flames are a dangerous mix.

• Traffic Congestion: Food trucks attract customers and vehicles, making it harder for cars to safely navigate tight gas station lots.

• Limited Space: Most gas stations aren’t designed for pedestrian traffic or lingering crowds.

 2. Health & Sanitation Concerns

Proper sanitation is essential in the food industry, but gas stations don’t always offer the infrastructure needed.

• Waste Disposal: Improper disposal of trash and wastewater can lead to environmental hazards.

• Restroom Access: Without nearby public restrooms, hygiene becomes a concern for both workers and patrons.

• Rodent Attraction: Food waste left unattended near gas pumps is an open invitation for pests.

A recent case in point? A mobile food unit, El Tacontento, was shut down on March 22 following a complaint inspection that uncovered raw sewage on the ground due to a damaged waste tank. Operations were halted until the violations could be corrected. It's unclear how many more potential violations may be occuring considering the rampant after hours operations of food trucks throughout Duval County.

 3. Zoning & Compliance Issues

Even if a gas station wants to host a food truck, zoning laws and compliance rules may get in the way.

• Zoning Laws: Many cities restrict food services from operating near or on gas station properties.

• Permitting Conflicts: Food trucks often require special permits that may not align with gas station zoning.

• ADA Requirements: Once a property hosts food service, it may need to meet accessibility standards—something not all stations are equipped for.

Not Just Jacksonville

Several Florida cities have already taken steps to regulate or restrict food trucks at gas stations:

• Hialeah: As of February 2025, banned trucks from “hazardous” sites, including certain gas stations.

• Cape Coral: Prohibits overnight parking of food trucks at service locations.

• St. Augustine Beach: Limits food trucks to commercial areas without single-family homes and restricts them near restaurants.

Balancing Opportunity & Responsibility

Jacksonville’s Office of Consumer Affairs provides detailed food truck operation guidelines. But as the industry grows, cities like Jacksonville are being forced to ask: Where do food trucks belong—and where don't they?

Councilman Carlucci’s ordinance is likely to spark debate between public safety advocates and mobile vendors who rely on high-traffic locations to do business.

If passed, the ordinance could set a precedent for other Florida cities wrestling with the same question.

The Jacksonville City Council will vote on the proposed ordinance on Tuesday, April 8. Expect public input, industry pushback, and a lively discussion on how best to regulate this booming sector without choking off opportunity.

Stay tuned for updates—and if you're a food truck operator or fan, now’s the time to get involved.