Council adopts revised food‑truck ordinance, drops nightly‑move requirement

The City of Columbiana on Monday adopted a revised mobile food unit ordinance, ordinance 042502, after a second reading and a roll‑call vote. The ordinance keeps a business‑license and health‑department approval requirement, sets operating hours from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., limits audible devices to being audible no more than 50 feet from the unit, and requires the operator to post written permission from both the property owner and the business operator where the truck will park. (Council member (first referenced SEG 001) introduced the ordinance and speaker 3 seconded the removal of item 10.)

Supporters said the changes modernize the city’s rules and make them more food‑truck‑friendly than the previous version, which limited locations to a courthouse overflow lot and required a separate city permit. One councilmember who researched peer cities noted most include a minimum distance from building entrances — often 200 feet — to protect brick‑and‑mortar businesses; the council preserved a 200‑foot proximity approach to avoid blocking entrances and fire access. Council voted to delete the clause requiring the truck be moved when not in operation (item 10), and the ordinance passed by voice vote with all members voting in favor. The city will notify existing licensed mobile vendors about the new ordinance and the clerk (speaker 3) said operators must submit written property/business owner approval with their business‑license application.