Hart planners review draft food truck ordinance with permit, setback and aisle rules

At its Aug. 1 meeting the Hart Planning Commission reviewed draft language for a proposed food truck ordinance that would regulate mobile food vending across the city.

The draft would require each mobile food vendor to obtain a Peddler’s Permit from the city clerk’s office and demonstrate compliance with Oceana County Health Department and State of Michigan permits before a City Peddler’s Permit would be issued. Property owners or event organizers would also be required to obtain any necessary zoning permits to host mobile vendors.

The draft distinguishes between types of operations: food trucks serving outdoor public entertainment events would need a Peddler’s Permit and must be removed at the event’s conclusion; up to two food trucks would be allowed as accessory uses at restaurants, wineries and breweries. The ordinance would prohibit a mobile vendor from operating within 200 feet of an open restaurant unless the restaurant owner gives written permission.

Operational standards in the draft include a required 10‑foot setback from any building, mandatory waste receptacles nearby, minimum aisle widths (12 feet for one‑way vehicle circulation; 26 feet for two‑way circulation), and a prohibition on overnight parking at event locations unless authorized. Mobile food vendors would also be subject to the City of Hart’s noise ordinance. Alcohol may not be sold by mobile vendors except when service is part of a permitted event or authorized by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs or the Michigan Liquor Control Commission. The draft excludes ice cream trucks and similar neighborhood traveling vendors from these standards.

Commissioners reviewed the standards but did not adopt the ordinance at the Aug. 1 meeting; staff will continue to refine the draft ordinance language and clarify permit procedures before returning to the Commission.