Ice Cream Van Parking and Location Tips

Ice cream vans, a type of mobile business, cannot park just anywhere the operator pleases. The general rule is that no food truck should park near fire hydrants, bus stops, and pedestrian lanes or crosswalks. For this kind of business, parking and location should be maximized to ensure that the operations will run smoothly and profitability will be close at hand. 

Parking tips for ice cream vans are: to get a parking permit, practice safe parking, follow proximity regulations, park in commercial areas, and abide by local metered parking laws. Location-wise, they should maintain legal proximity, park beside a different food truck, head to residential areas after class hours, park in a business area during lunch hours, check the weather, and arrive at their preferred location early.

Ice cream van operators should conform to local regulations regarding parking and location when vending.  These regulations aim to promote safety and maintain peaceful and harmonious competition among businesses. To achieve these, read on for some tips to locate a great parking area for mobile ice cream businesses.

Tips for Parking Your Van

To ensure smooth and high-yielding vending operations, here are some helpful tips when stationing your ice cream van: 

1. Obtain a Parking Permit

A parking permit allows you to legally park your mobile ice cream shop on the street. When getting one, make sure that street parking is allowed in the area where you plan to operate your business. 

2. Practice Safe Parking

Apply best parking practices, such as ensuring that your order window faces the sidewalk to keep your buyers safe. 

3. Conform with Local Rules on Parking Proximity

The key to harmonious and healthy competition is to abide by the rules. Always conform to local proximity restrictions. Some cities and states prohibit parking within 400-800 feet of static ice cream shops (brick & mortar).

4. Park your Truck in Commercial Areas

There are designated spots where you can legally park your van/truck, and most of these areas are located within commercial areas. You are only allowed to park in a residential area if the owner invited you or acquired your products and services, such as catering at private parties. 

5. Adhere to your Local Metered Parking Regulations

States and cities implement different metered parking restrictions, so better check with your local authorities to avoid violations. 

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Ice Cream Van Parking Regulations

In the UK, ice cream vans are only allowed to park in one place for only 15-30 minutes to sell ice cream if there’s a queue of customers waiting to be served. This draconian rule was implemented to protect static shops that pay more on local rates. Also, vending within 400 meters from the site they have parked at on the same day is prohibited, and should only be done from 9 am to 7 pm unless granted a special permit to sell outside of the usual hours. 

The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs also implemented stringent ice cream parking measures which ban mobile businesses from parking within a 50-meter radius of hospitals, schools, churches, and other places of worship. 

The USA is more supportive of ice cream truck businesses but they also implement strict guidelines. Each state enforces its protocols and restrictions, so it’s better to check with your local government unit to find out the exact rules in ice cream parking and vending that you need to abide by. 

In the US, ice cream van vending activities may be done on public roads with enough width to allow other vehicles to pass through safely without delays and along public roadways within a residential zone to sell/ advertise/ display ice cream products for a maximum period of 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Moreover, selling is prohibited while an ice cream van is parked within 75 feet radius of an intersection and also within 200 feet radius of another ice cream truck vendor that has stopped, parked, and started selling first. 

Best Parking Locations

The advantage of owning a mobile ice cream business is that you’re not tied to a static location. You are free to go where your target market is. By bringing your business near your consumers, you get a fighting chance to generate profit. Below are a few recommendations for the best parking locations:

1. Near office buildings
2. Near sports arenas, stadiums, and sports fields
3. Public parks and National Parks
4. Near schools and college campuses
5. Near beaches, lakes, and resorts

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Location Tips for your Ice Cream Van

Here are some practical pointers that can help you spot your next location.

1. Choose a location where you can maintain legal proximity from a static and other mobile ice cream business to avoid unhealthy competition.
2. Locate where lunch food trucks park. Their customers will likely order your treats for dessert. 
3. Head to residential areas after school hours since school kids are likely to be home by then. Van operators can capitalize on a study by Baskin-Robbins that revealed ice cream as a top favorite dessert treat among children. 
4. Park in a breezy area with trees so your customers can enjoy their ice cream in a comfortable, shaded area.
5. Choose business districts for your location during lunchtime. Employees who are out for lunch will most likely buy a scoop or two after their meals. 
6. Always check the weather. Head to locations with warmer temperatures and avoid where it will rain or be chilly.
7. Buckle up and go early to your preferred location. Set up your van and start selling immediately.

Conclusion

Some helpful tips covering ice cream van parking concerns are to get a parking permit, practice safe parking, follow proximity regulations, park in commercial areas, and abide by local metered parking laws. Location-wise, ice cream vans should maintain legal proximity, park beside a lunch food truck, head to residential areas after class hours, park in business areas during lunch hours, check the weather, and arrive early at the preferred location.

Each state and city has a different Ice cream van parking laws and policies. To avoid violation and being penalized, always check specific parking regulations being enforced in your locality. 

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This blog post is provided for informational purposes only. The information contained is not intended to constitute legal advice or to substitute for obtaining legal advice from a qualified attorney.