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County adopts mobile vending rules; removes requirement that vendors match host-business hours
Summary
The board adopted Land Development Code Text Amendment LDCT-2402 to add mobile vending definitions and rules, with a late modification deleting a provision that limited freestanding mobile vendor hours to the host business’s hours.
The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners adopted a land development code amendment on Feb. 6 that defines and regulates mobile vending units, creates standards for mobile vending parks, and adds new accessory and temporary-use requirements for mobile vending.
At the adoption hearing the board accepted a staff amendment to delete a phrase that would have required freestanding mobile vending units on private property to “only be open during the hours of operation of that commercial establishment.” Staff and the sponsoring commissioner said the change would allow private-property operators and businesses to negotiate vendor hours rather than impose a county-wide restriction.
Rachel Layton, staff planner, told the board the deletion was intended to preserve flexibility: “If the business wasn't open the primary principal business then the mobile vending couldn't,” she said in explaining the original language; staff recommended removing the limiting phrase to permit negotiated arrangements between businesses and vendors.
The ordinance adoption passed unanimously (6-0) with Commissioner Sadiq absent. County attorneys read a modified motion on the record and the board approved LDCT-2402, Ordinance No. 2,511, with the specified deletion in Section 511.21(b).
Supporters said the ordinance clarifies where mobile vendors may operate, requires specific standards for mobile vending parks, and sets parking and operating standards to reduce conflicts with adjacent uses. Commissioners who spoke in favor said removing the hours restriction avoids unintentionally preventing special events where vendors might operate outside regular business hours.
The ordinance will be codified in the land development code and enforced by the county’s planning and code compliance departments; staff said businesses and vendors will still be required to secure any applicable permits and sign agreements when operating on private property.
