East Ridge council approves first reading of mobile food vending ordinance

On May 14 the East Ridge City Council approved the mobile food vending ordinance (Ordinance 1245) on first reading, creating a citywide regulatory framework and a process for site-specific overlay districts.

The ordinance establishes permitting and health/safety standards for food trucks and provides an application pathway for overlay zones — defined boundaries where event or stadium operators can manage recurring mobile vending — which the council said will be handled case by case.

Kenny Custer, representing F and B concessions and a stadium developer, told the council he supported the ordinance’s framework but urged clarification on the effective date and how the code would respect existing vendor contracts and seasonal stadium commitments. “The body and framework... I think it’s really good,” Custer said, while asking the council to consider a phase-in so existing contracts are not disrupted.

Councilmembers and staff said the overlay districts would be applied through a separate application process and that staff could add a phased effective date to avoid disrupting long-standing vendor commitments. Vice Mayor Tyler moved to approve the ordinance on first reading and Councilmember Ezell seconded; the motion passed on a unanimous roll-call vote.

The council discussed technical issues that will be addressed before second reading, including how many vendors an overlay could allow and the cadence of permits. Staff and attendees said the ordinance aims to capture sales tax revenue for the city while giving event operators (for example stadium management) a predictable process to host recurring vendors.

Next steps: Ordinance 1245 will return for a second reading; councilmembers asked staff to bring back clarifications on effective dates and overlay district limits before final adoption.