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Council asks attorney to draft mobile food-truck ordinance after lengthy review
Summary
After a fifth draft and extended discussion, council directed the city attorney to prepare a formal mobile food-truck ordinance for first reading, addressing permits, safety inspections and permanent/temporary placement rules.
The East Ridge City Council reviewed a fifth draft of a proposed mobile food-truck ordinance Sept. 25 and directed the city attorney to prepare a formal ordinance for first reading, incorporating council feedback on permits, public-safety requirements and limits on permanent infrastructure.
Staff said the draft establishes an overlay ‘‘food truck alley’’ at a closed portion of Old Ringo Road and would allow food trucks in commercial, office and manufacturing districts with property-owner permission. The draft also sets a framework for permanent food-truck locations, mobile vending permits, fire inspections and sanitation responsibilities.
City staff said any food truck operating within city limits would need a mobile food-vending permit and a fire inspection; trucks at city-run events such as festivals would not be held to the same permit requirements. The draft distinguishes “canteen” or prepacked-food vendors from trucks that prepare food on-site; staff said the ordinance would require canteen trucks to obtain a permit and to meet sanitation and sales-tax reporting rules.
Council members raised operational questions including permitted hours, whether food trucks should be allowed near brick-and-mortar restaurants, and whether trucks that remain overnight constitute a ‘‘permanent’’ operation. Staff said the draft includes a 20-foot setback from structures and that permanent trucks would be limited to one per location, with property-owner approval; staff noted language on restrooms and sanitation may require additional refinement.
The draft also includes a sales-tax reporting clause: vendors must report sales at the business location on state sales-tax returns and provide the city with a sales-tax registration number as part of the permitting process. Council requested clearer enforcement mechanisms for vendors who do not report sales or who violate permit conditions.
Council unanimously directed the city attorney to draft the ordinance incorporating the council’s recommended changes and to present it for first reading, with staff to circulate the draft with sufficient time for review before the Oct. 9 meeting.
