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City staff to merge mobile‑vending and sidewalk‑vending rules; planning hearing set
Summary
City planners proposed coordinated rules for mobile vending on private property and sidewalk vending in the public right‑of‑way, aligning Chapter 40 (zoning) and Chapter 28 (sidewalks) with state law; planning commission review is scheduled next week and council consideration is planned for the fall.
City planning staff told a joint business committee that the city is drafting parallel changes to zoning and sidewalk rules to create a single, clearer path for mobile and sidewalk vendors.
"We're working on Chapter 40 ordinance amendments right now," said Sarah Dunsworth, principal planner, summarizing staff's approach to permit mobile vending (food trucks and pop‑ups on private property). She said city planning and the police department are coordinating to ensure the regulations and enforcement paths align.
Dunsworth said sidewalk vending on public property will be addressed in Chapter 28 to align local code with state law (SB 946), which governs vending on sidewalks and other public rights of way. She emphasized the two tracks are being reconciled so similar permit fees and application processes provide clarity for vendors and the public.
Chief Todd Henry described enforcement as a multi‑pronged effort: environmental health (county) handles food‑safety permits, while police and code‑enforcement staff would respond to complaints about sidewalk‑permit violations or hazards. "Environmental health will get complaints about those," Henry said; "they'll reach out to the police department for code enforcement, and essentially we will support them during their investigation."
Brett Lee, executive director of the Davis Downtown Business Association, urged a city permit that incorporates insurance and county health approval so police can shut down noncompliant vendors immediately if necessary.
Dunsworth said staff will seek community input from a DDBA food‑truck subcommittee and advocates before the package goes to city council; the planning commission will review Chapter 40 at its meeting next week. Staff said the package is intended to provide vendors a clear compliance path while preserving the city's ability to enforce permits and public‑safety standards.
The committee did not take a formal vote on an ordinance; staff recommended additional outreach and Commission review before council action.
