News

Maryland appeals court upholds 300-foot food truck ban

June 3, 2019

A Maryland appeals court has upheld Baltimore's "300-foot rule" banning mobile food vendors from conducting business near brick-and-mortar restaurants, according to The Baltimore Sun.

Maryland Court of Special Appeals Judge Douglas R.M. Nazarian on Thursday overturned a lower court ruling that the ban was too vague to enforce. 

Food truck owners, Joey Vanoni and Nikki McGowans, in 2016 challenged the ban, claiming it violated their constitutional rights and was intended to protect competing food businesses. The city council passed the law in 2014.

City Solicitor Andre Davis on Friday welcomed the appeals court ruling and said the ordinance was intended to provide economic equity.

The city does not plan to enforce the ban until the lawsuit has run its course, Davis said. Food truck owners can appeal the ruling to the Maryland Court of Appeals.