NSVI - Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada

	Download: Streets of Dreams: How Cities Can Create Economic Opportunity by Knocking Down Protectionist Barriers to Street Vending

City Approves a New Ordinance

The Las Vegas City Council recently approved a new ordinance that restricts food trucks from selling within 150 feet of a brick-and-mortar restaurant. Much of downtown—and many customers—are now off-limits to food trucks. Fortunately, the council voted against the Planning Commission’s recommendation to prohibit the Las Vegas’ 125 food trucks from operating within a quarter-mile of their brick-and-mortar competitors.

The council voted 5-1 in favor of the ordinance. Councilman Steve Ross was the lone dissenter, arguing that culinary entrepreneurs “have a constitutional right to go out and earn a living.”

Not all restaurants were in favor of this ordinance, either. Celebrity chef George Harris wrote this op-ed in support of food trucks.

IJ releases statement on behalf of Las Vegas food trucks.

Will the City of Las Vegas fully embrace the food truck revolution, or will it empower brick-and-mortar restaurants to run mobile vendors out of town?

That is the question confronting city officials as they consider new regulations for the city’s mobile food businesses.  The Institute for Justice (IJ) and its National Street Vending Initiative sent the Las Vegas government its views about the proposed regulations.  The problematic and unconstitutional proposal includes proximity and durational restrictions.

Download the Institute for Justice’s comments in PDF form

Want a FREE “Legalize Street Food” sticker for your food truck or cart?  Email activism@ij.org.  Make sure to include whether you'd like a slate gray or sangria colored decal.