Toronto food vendors are holding a rally outside of city hall Wednesday as council considers loosening the city's food truck rules.
City councillors are considering a bylaw proposal that would ease the restrictions on food trucks after repeated complaints from vendors.
Some councillors have voiced concerns about emissions, noise, loss of parking spaces and lack of bathrooms.
If approved by city council, food trucks would be allowed to set up in pay-and-display parking spots for up to five hours, unless on private property. Trucks can also be parked in lots that are properly zoned and licensed, the motion said.
Currently, there is a 10-minute limit on trucks parked in licensed lots, and a limit to the number of vendors that can park on the same street.
The bylaw suggests that truck owners pay $5,000, which includes vendor permit and parking fees. Sidewalk vendors would have to pay $4,500 for a permit and ice cream vendors would be charged $525.
The bylaw was received the blessing of the Municipal Licensing and Standards Committee in March, with the recommendation that food trucks be at least 30 metres from schools and 50 metres from restaurants while they're open.
If approved, the new rules will come into effect on May 15.
