Food trucks now allowed permanent locations in Wilkes-Barre Twp.

WILKES-BARRE TWP. — Food trucks can remain in one location for an indefinite amount of time after council on Monday rescinded a line in a recently adopted ordinance that was in dispute.

Borough leaders, zoning officials and the town’s lawyers were at odds about the wording in the ordinance that said food trucks “shall not operate at a stationary location for a duration exceeding 10 hours during any 24-hour period.”

Did that mean a truck could only operate 10 hours a day or would the owner have to move out after every day of operation?

Council said they intended just to restrict the hours of operation, but zoning officer Tom Zedolik said he interpreted the wording as the truck would have to be moved each day.

Members of council on Monday voted to amend the ordinance to remove the line that was in dispute, effectively allowing food trucks to stay in one location as long as the owners obtain their $400 annual permits and follow the rules of the ordinance. The ordinance outlines a lengthy list of rules for food trucks, such as minimum distances it must be from homes and business and the allowable hours of operation, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Zedolik said he disagreed with allowing food trucks to stay in one location permanently, arguing it would be the same as someone living in a recreational vehicle parked on a city street indefinitely.

“It’s no different. That’s what these food trucks are. They are supposed to be mobile,” Zedolik said.

He suggested council members put a limit on how long a food truck could be stationary, such as 30, 60, or 90 days.

Charles Revitt, the township permit officer, said permanent locations for food trucks is not fair to brick-and-mortar businesses that must pay rent, provide heating and air conditioning, and have restroom facilities.

“There should be a time limit on how long they can stay in one spot,” Revitt said. “I don’t know why there is an interest in keeping them there the whole time.”

The amendment to the ordinance comes weeks after the township forced two well-known food trucks — Notis the Gyro King and Yogi’s Potato Pancakes — to move from Route 309 after determining they did not have highway occupancy permits required by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

Council’s food truck ordinance didn’t mention highway occupancy permits, but it prompted code officials to check in the status of the permits for the food trucks.

Notis the Gyro King operated in the township for 17 years in the former KMart Plaza — now the Union Center Plaza — but was forced to move for the construction of the new Wawa convenience store and gas station. The business then moved to a nearby location, a lot next to the entrance of the former Cleveland Brothers dealership, but was forced to move recently when it was determined the location didn’t have a highway occupancy permit.

The food truck has since moved to a location along Coal Street in Wilkes-Barre City behind the Subway restaurant and convenience store on Wilkes-Barre Twp. Boulevard. Yogi’s moved to a location on Northampton Street, also in Wilkes-Barre City, across from the new location of C&D Seafood.

At Monday’s meeting, the owner, Notis Vavlas, asked council not to restrict how long a food truck could stay in one location because landowners would be reluctant to agree to a short-term lease for a time frame as little as 30 to 90 days.

“Who is going to rent me a space?” Vavlas asked.

Originally Published: April 8, 2025 at 1:42 PM EDT