Council moves to extend mobile-vendor moratorium while code revisions proceed

Plain City officials discussed extending a temporary moratorium on mobile food vendors operating on private property while staff completes code amendments and a fee/regulatory structure.

Village staff member Lee explained the moratorium enacted in December covered mobile vendors on private property (excluding right-of-way and permitted special events) and noted the village has received multiple permit inquiries since the moratorium began. The moratorium was initially three months; staff requested an extension to allow time to draft and adopt new regulations. Lee told council the proposed ordinance had been scheduled for public hearing and first reading in May (and second reading later in the month), and that the village could consider waiving the 30-day effective date if council chose to do so at second reading.

Council members said they were open to extending the moratorium given the start of vendor season and the need for clear rules. At the meeting’s first reading agenda, council advanced Ordinance 11-2025 — extending the moratorium on processing and issuance of mobile vendor licenses — and acted to waive the second reading and declare an emergency in order to make the extension effective as the vendor season approaches. The motion recorded passed unanimously.