According to The Virginian Pilot, food trucks being invited to set up in residential neighborhoods are facing legal challenges due to zoning regulations in Virginia Beach. Angela Kirby recently rolled into a suburban neighborhood ready to sell sausage sandwiches but was stopped by a zoning inspector. “We had food pre-ordered, but we couldn’t open,” she said. After a few phone calls the situation was resolved but the incident raised further questions about what is allowed to happen where in these uncertain times.
Food truck regulation has become the subject of confusion and controversy in Virginia Beach, after a city announcement addressing the presence of food trucks in residential neighborhoods. The temporary rule change allowed food trucks to operate on private property with permission of the owner, without first getting approval from the city.
Food trucks had previously required advance permitting from the city. But the city also appeared to outline restrictions on food trucks doing business in residential neighborhoods. This caused Kirby, alongside Capt’n Crabby food truck owner MJ Medlar, to kick off an email campaign. “The neighborhood people started an uproar, because they were mad it was being taken away from them," Medlar said. "It was like their one treat of the week.”
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