Planning board backs draft mobile-vendor regulations with request to refine sandwich-board rule

City staff presented a city-initiated text amendment on Oct. 21 to add zoning regulations for mobile vendors operating on private property. Staff said the change responds to a 2021 Florida statute that limited municipal licensing authority while leaving cities the power to regulate location and certain operational characteristics.

The proposed code language would require mobile vendors operating on private property to: obtain a signed site authorization from the property owner; show a site plan or mapped location identifying parking, drive aisles and proximity to fire lanes and hydrants; avoid required parking stalls, drive aisles or fire lanes; not park overnight in operating locations; maintain a self-contained operation (onboard water, power, waste where required); remove trash and materials nightly; and affix required signage to the vehicle (the draft disallowed freestanding sandwich boards, flags, balloons and similar freestanding attention devices).

Staff said the draft does not regulate mobile vendors that operate only in the public right-of-way (for example, ice cream trucks that circulate) and said other city codes would still govern right-of-way activities. The draft also permits mobile vendors to use available excess parking on a site if the property owner provides written permission, but it would prohibit use of required parking stalls and loading areas.

Board members raised multiple concerns during a lengthy discussion. Questions included whether a mobile vehicle owned by the same business that operates a storefront on the same property would be treated as a mobile vendor subject to the “no overnight parking” rule, how the city would treat sandwich boards and temporary furniture, and where vendors should store vehicles when the code prohibits overnight parking in operating locations. Staff said the intent is to make mobile vendors move nightly and treat storage as a separate land‑use/parking/storage issue; staff agreed to clarify language that addresses mobile units tied to an on‑site business (commissary) and the distinction between operating and storing vehicles.

The city attorney responded to a question about First Amendment implications for the proposed signage restriction by noting municipalities can adopt reasonable, content‑neutral sign regulations; staff said they would further check legal constraints.

After discussion, the board voted 6–1 to recommend approval to the City Commission and asked staff to refine language, particularly item 3 under “Operations” that would bar freestanding signs such as sandwich boards unless specifically permitted or reviewed. The vote outcome was recorded as 6 in favor, 1 opposed.

Staff recommended approval of the code revision, noting the draft follows the statute’s limits while restoring local authority to regulate location, site safety and operations on private property. The planning board’s recommendation will go to the City Commission for final action; staff will return with refined language on signage and clarifications about overnight parking and leasing/commissary arrangements.