Tiffin council changes mobile food vendor rules, waives weekly location fee and widens hours

Tiffin City Council on June 9 amended chapter 7.23 of the city code governing mobile food vendors, removing a proposed $25 weekly location fee, expanding permitted hours and adding administrative discretion about multi-day placement of equipment.

Council members and staff said the changes aim to align local rules with state fire-code registration and reduce administrative friction for food vendors while preserving enforcement tools. The council voted on several distinct amendments after public comments from two local vendors and committee-level discussion.

Director of law Zachary Fowler told council “as it stands right now, chapter 7 23 … a $50 fee. That license is good for a year. But if you're gonna operate on city property … there is a location permit that carries a $25 a week fee that is good for up to a month.” Fowler said proposed edits largely clarified definitions, the city administrator’s authority to suspend or revoke licenses and to align some language with state fire-code expectations and the fire marshal’s registration system (iROLL).

Two mobile vendors spoke during public comment. William Alford, owner of B and A Barbecue, asked for clarity about a line in the application that allows “any other information deemed…