The Perth city council has announced it will allow a trial of mobile food trucks to operate daily in the city, but stopped short of allowing them into the CBD.

Councillor Reece Harley told 720 ABC Perth the city will hold a three-month trial, to run from February to May 2015, with ten vendors to be selected.

"For this three-month trial we have decided to allocate permits to areas that are not meeting demand - areas like Langley Park, Havelock Street in West Perth, Queen's Gardens and the James Street car park where there are no businesses nearby servicing potential customers," Mr Harley said.

Asked why food trucks would not be allowed into the busier central business areas, he said it was to protect existing food businesses.

"The city's approach is consistent with the City of Sydney and other cities around the world," he said.

"We need to look after our business owners who pay rent in the city, and who are there servicing demand all year round.

"People have overheads and we wouldn't like a situation where we approved a Mexican food van to park out the front of a Mexican restaurant."

Mobile food trucks are currently allowed in the city for special events and weekly evening markets.

"I think our approach to mobile food vending in the city will mature," Mr Harley said.

"This is a trial and we will learn from it, and then come up with an ongoing policy."

More chances for street food sellers

Roy Chin, who runs a food truck selling Japanese dumplings, said he welcomed the move.

"We do a lot of events in central Perth at the cultural centre and Langley Park, and having the transition from events to daily spots is something we really appreciate," he said.

"I think it is a definite positive step to having more food vans. It is a trial and we need to start somewhere."

Mr Chin said trade is better when vans are clustered together.

"People are drawn to the location because there is activity. If you have one or two trucks in a place, it is actually harder to trade than when you have five or six trucks."

Talkback caller Jason, who also operates a food truck, said he too welcomes the trial.

"I've just recently started up my food van and I find the options are limited to weekend operations," he said.

"Langley Park is a great idea because it is an open space. People can go out for lunch and sit in the park.

"A lot of times the food vans are offering different types of cuisines than the cafes nearby."