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Council debates a new 'mobile vendor' business‑license endorsement to clarify farmers‑market rules
Summary
Staff proposed adding a 'mobile vendor' endorsement to streamline permitting for food trucks, craft sellers and other nonresident vendors at farmers markets; council gave staff direction to draft an ordinance and fee structure but did not adopt a final rule.
Town staff proposed adding a new business‑license endorsement category called "mobile vendor" to provide clearer, faster permitting for vendors who operate at farmers markets, pop‑ups and similar events.
Staff described the endorsement as intended for sellers who lack a brick‑and‑mortar location or who operate mobile businesses such as food trucks and craft pop‑ups. The recommended paperwork would require property‑owner permission, proof of health and safety inspections (for food vendors), and vehicle inspection documentation for vendors operating from trucks or vans.
“This endorsement type is called a mobile vendor,” the staff presenter said, explaining it would allow staff to require attachments (property owner permission, fire and health approvals) at the time of application so staff do not have to chase individual vendors after the fact.
Staff recommended a fee structure consistent with existing business licenses (variable by taxable income) and suggested charging per location if a vendor operates in multiple places. The presenter said the endorsement could realistically go live in September or December depending on staff workload and further Council direction.
Council members asked whether purely farm producers (selling their own produce) would be covered; staff confirmed Washington State law exempts a farmer selling their own produce from some local licensing requirements. Council indicated general support for drafting a formal endorsement and directed staff to return with a proposed ordinance, fee schedule and implementation timeline before the next season’s market schedule would be affected.
No vote to adopt the endorsement was taken during the meeting; staff will prepare draft code language and fee recommendations.
