City permitting staff told the council the operation known as 'Island Of Lumpia' had been operating without the proper approvals in one jurisdiction and that Mason County has a pilot program for mobile vendors. "Mason County apparently has created a special program for mobile vendors," staff said, after following up with local jurisdictions.

Staff clarified the building code prohibits open fat fryers within tents used as a permanent or semi-permanent location because tents lack daily inspection and built-in ventilation and fire-suppression suited to such cooking. The staffer said special-event exceptions exist: when an activity is a regulated special event, the city inspects the setup and authorizes limited, one-time use. By contrast, mobile food trucks may house fryers if equipped with a hood and appropriate fire-suppression equipment.

The city does not currently have the staff capacity to establish and run a regular permitting-and-inspection program for mobile tent vendors, staff said, and recommended enforcement consistent with code (special-event permits or requiring food trucks with appropriate equipment).

Councilors asked whether the vendor had been operating at Town Square Mall and whether other locations are planned; staff said the vendor had operated at Town Square Mall but they had not heard of other locations. No formal policy change was adopted; staff will continue enforcement under current code and advise the council if a structured mobile-vendor program is feasible.