Sleepy Hollow adopts ordinance limiting food trucks on village property

The Village Board of Sleepy Hollow voted to adopt a mobile food vendor ordinance after a short discussion on event flexibility and permit conditions.

The president said the draft, revised by the village attorney, clarifies the definition of a mobile food vendor and requires vendors to remit sales tax. “We set it at 5 food trucks for locations on public property, 2 if it’s private property, and then block parties can have a special stipulation within their application for their permits,” the president said. The ordinance sets normal operating hours from 10 a.m. to sunset but allows the village administrator to permit extended hours for village‑sponsored or approved special events.

Trustees discussed whether large service‑club or festival events might need more than five vendors and whether those would require a special permit or different event format. A service‑club representative said larger events would likely use a different format and that five vendors would be sufficient for typical seasonal events. The president said the board could revisit the limits during next year’s permitting and budget cycle for larger events.

The board moved and seconded approval; a roll‑call vote recorded all affirmative votes and the ordinance passed.

The ordinance, as discussed, also includes a provision to ensure vendors attribute and remit sales tax to the village. The board said attorney Schuster accommodated timing flexibility for long holiday weekends (allowing four days instead of three during long weekends) and additional special‑event allowances would be confirmed with the village administrator.

The ordinance will be forwarded to the appropriate staff for implementation and added to the village code as approved.