Vending Trucks to Be Seen, Not Heard Under New Rules

Youngsters soon will have to look, rather than listen, for the ice cream truck.

Continuing the crackdown on curbside sales of ice cream, food, toys and other products, officials this week approved new noise and safety regulations for vending trucks.

Drivers no longer will be able to announce their presence with bells, horns, music or other sound-making devices.

Horns will be permitted only for legitimate driving purposes sanctioned by state law, such as trying to avoid an accident, officials said.

Councilwoman Heather K. Somers said the new regulations were passed to preserve peace and quiet, and because of a host of health, safety and trash issues associated with vending truck sales. Residents in some areas, particularly in the west side, have complained that the trucks are noisy and that vendors often litter and trespass on private property.

“It’s just nonstop for people in the west side,” Somers said.

Vendors also are barred from selling within 500 feet of schools, playgrounds or parks, 300 feet of another vending vehicle or 100 feet of an intersection, and from areas with speed limits greater than 35 mph.

Vehicles also are forbidden to attach power lines to utility outlets on public or private property and to sell in one area for more than 10 minutes. Drivers can, however, vend at construction sites for up to 30 minutes.

The new regulations, which take effect in about a month, come on the heels of last month’s ban of pushcart sales, affecting vendors who hawk goods from mobile carts. State vehicle codes prohibit an outright ban on vending vehicles, so similar regulations could not be adopted for the trucks.