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Syracuse, New York, struggles with food truck fees

October 17, 2018

A proposal in Syracuse, New York, to establish a $500 annual fee for a food truck license has drawn complaints from food cart operators who are paying as much as $1,500, according to Syracuse.com. 

Michael Greene, the city's common councilor, proposed the change in an effort to improve the current policy for food trucks, which requires trucks to pay $500 to $1,500 for a single parking space. Many of the spaces are too small for the trucks and sometimes cars park in the spaces. As a remedy, Greene is proposing to cap the fee at $500.

Paul Waleski, a street food vendor who operates Tall Paul's the Dog Cabin, said it is not fair that food trucks will pay only $500 for a license when he will still have to pay $1,500 to license his food cart.

Greene said he isn't trying to create an uneven playing field, but is looking for ways to improve the policy.

The matter will be discussed at the next common council meeting on Monday.