Washington keeps 200-foot downtown buffer, exempts short-term mobile vendors from business license

The Washington City Council on Sept. 22 left intact a 200-foot buffer that limits where mobile food trucks may park in the downtown vending district, and approved an amendment to the city code that exempts short-term mobile food vendors from the city business-license requirement.

The change to section 605.05 — approved on second reading and by roll-call vote — exempts mobile food vendors who operate in approved vending districts or who operate fewer than 10 times in a calendar year from having to obtain a city business license. City staff emphasized that vendors would still need health-department approvals, fire inspections and any required roadside-stand permits.

The code amendment grew out of continuing discussion about how close food trucks should be allowed to operate near brick-and-mortar restaurants. Staff presented maps showing three buffer options — the existing 200-foot buffer and proposed 100-foot and 50-foot alternatives — and said the meeting was for discussion before drafting ordinance language. A council member defended the existing 200-foot line as a protection for downtown businesses, saying the buffer was adopted in 2023 to “not deter from our downtown restaurants and businesses.”

Local vendors pushed back. Josh McDowell, speaking for his wife, who owns Bridal Crunch, said the 200-foot rule effectively locks vendors out of many downtown events and that the permit map they had been shown was unclear. “We were presented with a map that had a few dots on it. They said you have to stay 200 feet away from these buildings,” McDowell said. He asked the city to consider refunds of permit fees and questioned whether invited vendors could participate in city events if the vendor is located inside the 200-foot buffer.

City staff answered that invited vendors can participate when an event organizer rents or licenses city property and provides the required insurance and event coverage; they also explained the roadside stand permit process, which requires property-owner consent and allows a site to be used for up to 10 days per calendar year for that location. Staff acknowledged that the maps and administration of the buffer had caused confusion and said they would make the maps available to police and the public.

The ordinance clarifies licensing only; it does not change health, fire or insurance requirements for vendors. The council approved the amendment on second reading (the ordinance was introduced at SEG 781–SEG 844 and passed at SEG 894–SEG 911). The city said it will draft the implementing language and post maps so vendors and event organizers can plan accordingly.