Cape Coral City Council may allow food trucks wider range

Food trucks are already popular in Southwest Florida, and Cape Coral leaders are meeting Wednesday to look at changing the local rules on food trucks.

Cape Coral is considering an amendment that will officially allow food trucks in non-residential areas of the city while establishing a specific set of ground rules these businesses need to follow. Florida passed a law preventing local governments from regulating mobile food trucks in 2020, so Cape Coral can’t require permits for them, but it may require food truck operators to obtain a business tax receipt to ensure sales tax is being collected. Cape Coral believes this to be the best way to manage things given state rules.

The City says food trucks serve as a next step for Cape Coral restaurateurs wanting to take their show on the road, and that they will bring both economic development and an increase in the quality of life to the people here.

“We call it grateful dining,” said Cape Coral resident Debby Gemuend. “We are grateful that the food trucks are there. We are grateful that they are entrepreneurs, and that we have the opportunity to contribute to help these people.”

“I love them,” said fellow resident Rafael Canete. “As far as I’m concerned, bring them on.”

As excited as most people are about the idea of more food trucks coming into Cape Coral, some restaurant owners worry that a truck parked too close to them could take away from their business. But the proposed guidelines include requiring written permission from the property owner of the land on which they are parked. Food trucks also must be self-contained, meaning they cannot connect to on-site power, water or sewer, and can’t stay in one spot. While both restaurants and food truck owners may feel competitive, many insist there’s room for everyone at the table.

“You’re all on the same team,” said George Torres, owner of promotion company Blended Cultures. “We all love to eat, you know, and the food truck guy, that restaurant owner, he probably loves your food truck. He loves your food. You know, it’s enough room for all of us. It’s enough room for all of us. That’s it.”

The Cape Coral Planning and Zoning Commission says it wants your voice to be heard, so if you have any input, you’re invited to share it at one of three upcoming meetings, the first of which is Wednesday at 9 a.m. in the Cape Coral Council Chambers at 1015 Cultural Park Blvd.