Downtown Albuquerque food trucks hit with fines

Several food trucks in Downtown Albuquerque have been issued citations after the Environmental Health Department received multiple reports of vendors not complying with city code. 

“Our goal is to enhance the downtown experience for all residents and visitors in a safe and healthy environment while mitigating enforcement as we work together to eliminate hazards,” Mark DiMenna, deputy director of the Environmental Health Department, said in a news release.

The compliance checks over the weekend focused on mobile food establishment parking from Second Street to Eighth Street between Gold Street and Copper Avenue, he said.

Multiple food trucks — including three separate trucks owned by the same person — were cited for illegally parking their vehicles or parking vehicles that were too large for Downtown. Super Truck, doing business as Yamis, an empanada truck, received one citation, while Mexican food truck Las Chanclitas received three.

Environmental Health issued five civil violations — $250 per citation — along with several demand letters to vendors who had not paid for their food operating permit, but one of the citations is under review and may be rescinded, according to Jeremy Dyer, spokesperson for Environmental Health.

According to the release, a second fine is $500, and a third is $1,000.

"The primary complaints received were generators being too loud, food trucks illegally parked, and food trucks too large for the designated parking areas by concerned residents in the downtown area," Dyer said.

Prior to the citations, Environmental Health sent letters to food truck vendors to remind them of the Food Service and Retail Ordinance, meaning all vendors must comply with parking and zoning regulations, including parking in designated areas and adhering to applicable noise regulations.