Village tables draft mobile-food-vendor rules after debate over hours, locations and safety

Trustees in Sleepy Hollow debated a proposed amendment to Title 3 of the village code on Aug. 4 that would regulate mobile food vendors, including where they may vend, how long they may operate and safety-related limits.

During discussion, board members and staff covered a core set of proposed rules: require vendors to operate from approved, fixed locations (not roaming); limit sales hours to 10 a.m. until dusk; prohibit vending within 1,000 feet of an existing restaurant; and limit vending to no more than three consecutive days (with a four-day exception allowed for holiday weekends by special permit). The draft also clarified that block parties and special event permits would be handled separately.

The board debated safety concerns (lighting and children near trucks), commercial impacts for established restaurants, and how food-truck sales tax and registration would be remitted. President said the draft was intended as a pilot program for the remainder of summer and that special-event permits could grant exceptions. Trustees asked staff to redraft and produce a conforming ordinance text.

After discussion Trustee Schatzberger moved to table the proposed Title 3 amendment for further drafting; the motion to table passed by roll call and the item was scheduled for the Aug. 18 meeting.

Why it matters: the draft seeks to balance support for small food businesses with safety and the interests of brick-and-mortar restaurants. Trustees emphasized public-safety constraints (lighting and traffic), fixed-location requirements and formal event permitting as key controls.

The board did not adopt the ordinance at the Aug. 4 meeting; staff were asked to produce a revised, conforming draft for the next meeting.