The Moraine Planning Commission on Aug. 19 recommended adopting a new municipal code section creating a mobile‑food‑vendor (food‑truck) permit. The package (TA‑06‑2025) establishes application requirements, insurance and licensing prerequisites, fee tiers for one‑year and six‑month permits, and safety and nuisance standards. The commission approved the draft with two edits requested by commissioners.

Staff explained the city previously regulated food trucks under peddler/solicitor permits, which proved costly and administratively cumbersome for operators. The new section creates a clear, dedicated mobile‑food‑vendor license: a one‑year license for $150 and a six‑month license for $75, with temporary exemptions for events of three days or fewer. Applicants must provide copies of required county and state health permits and insurance as part of the application.

Commissioners asked staff to remove two operating restrictions from the draft before forwarding it: a provision that would have required a mobile vendor unit to move after remaining stationary six hours at one public location, and language that would have prohibited leaving a vendor unattended in public view. Staff agreed to omit both items so the regulation would not impede vendors that operate in fixed locations or return to the same spot daily. The draft retained requirements that vendors carry proof of public‑health permits, vehicle/BMV documentation when applicable, and insurance.

The formal vote: The commission voted to forward the mobile‑food‑vendor section to council with the edits described. Staff said the city will require proof of county and state permits prior to issuing a Moraine mobile‑food‑vendor license.

Why it matters: The change creates a locally tailored, less burdensome permitting path for food trucks and clarifies health‑code and insurance expectations for operators and event organizers. Commissioners said the new section aims to balance public safety, local business needs and administrative clarity.

Ending: The draft ordinance will go to city council for final adoption; staff will include the edits to omit the six‑hour relocation requirement and unattended‑unit prohibition.