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Commissioners hear draft ordinance to regulate food trucks, including 250-foot separation rule
Summary
Staff presented Ordinance 2026-04 to establish Chapter 1-12 for mobile food vendors, requiring town-issued mobile vendor licenses, operational standards, reciprocity with other Maryland permits and a proposed 250-foot separation from brick-and-mortar food businesses (waiver allowed for large events).
Town staff read Ordinance 2026-04 to create Chapter 1-12 (Food Trucks), describing a licensing framework for mobile food vendors and rules intended to protect public health and brick-and-mortar businesses. The draft says a mobile food vendor must hold a town-issued license for each unit, comply with county health and fire rules, and operate within approved locations and hours.
A notable provision requires that no mobile food vendor operate within 250 feet of an existing brick-and-mortar food establishment, measured from nearest points; the ordinance allows a waiver for large-scale special events subject to town approval. Commissioners and business owners pressed staff on who would have authority to grant a waiver and on whether a waiver could undercut existing businesses; at least one commissioner proposed removing the waiver provision.
"No person shall operate a mobile food vendor within the town without 1st obtaining a mobile food vendor license issued by the town Of Princess Anne," staff read while summarizing license and application requirements. Staff said fees and enforcement penalties would be set by resolution if the ordinance is adopted.
