Parker council adopts revised mobile-business rules allowing food trucks to operate past 10 p.m. in some cases

Parker — The Parker Town Council on Dec. 15 approved revisions to the town’s mobile-business code that set three classifications for vendors and allow mobile businesses to operate past 10 p.m. when they are working in conjunction with a nonmobile business or as part of an approved community event.

Planning staff presented the ordinance on second reading, describing the new classifications as daily; short-term (2–89 days); and long-term (90 days or more). "The proposed changes include eliminating the requirement for mobile businesses to move," planning staff said, adding that the code will require compliance with building, electrical, health department and fire-district standards if a vendor remains on a site for more than 90 days.

The draft also allows an additional temporary banner that complies with the town sign code and keeps other right-of-way rules and permit requirements in place. Staff offered two adoption options: a version with a firm 10 p.m. closing requirement, and a version that incorporates a planning commission recommendation to allow extended hours when a mobile business operates "in conjunction with a nonmobile business" or under an approved community-event permit.

Council members pressed staff on enforcement. Planning staff said enforcement would be complaint-driven and that the planning director would be authorized to create implementing policies and processes. "If the permanent business complained that they were open past 10 p.m., we would be complaint-driven," staff said.

Council members who spoke in favor cited small-business development and the role of food trucks as business incubators. "It doesn't make sense for them to have to close at a different hour than your business," a planning staff member said in support of the planning commission’s amendment. Council moved to adopt the planning commission–recommended version; the motion passed unanimously.

What happens next: The ordinance was adopted on its second reading and will be codified in the municipal code; staff said additional policies and clarifications will be developed by the planning director to implement the change.