Chapter 5.36
MOBILE FOOD VENDORS
Sections:
5.36.030 Mobile food vending – Additional license requirements.
5.36.040 Display of city business license.
5.36.050 Restrictions applicable to all mobile food vendors.
5.36.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to allow mobile food vendors to conduct business within the city that will accommodate new businesses and support entrepreneurship. (Ord. 1994 § 1, 2018).
5.36.020 Definitions.
A. “Mobile food preparation vehicle” (aka “food trucks”) means a commercially manufactured motorized vehicle or trailer vending unit in which ready-to-eat food is cooked, wrapped, packaged, processed or portioned for service, sale or distribution.
B. “Mobile food vendor” means a seller of food from a mobile food preparation van, truck or other vehicle or conveyance. Sales of only prepackaged food products do not constitute mobile food vending. (Ord. 1994 § 1, 2018).
5.36.030 Mobile food vending – Additional license requirements.
A. The mobile food vendor business owner operator must obtain a city license before operating any such mobile vending business within the city. A separate copy of the city business license is required to be carried in each mobile food preparation vehicle owned and operated by a business owner.
B. A mobile food vendor must obtain and provide written proof of permission, on a form prescribed by the city, from the property owner for each location at which the mobile food vendor conducts business, which shall include a diagram of the mobile food vendor’s location on the property. A mobile food vendor shall submit the completed form to the city along with all applicable permits. Written permission for the mobile food vendor’s staff to use the property owner’s restrooms is also required. It is the responsibility of the mobile food vendor to comply with all requirements of this subsection prior to conducting any business at a particular location. (Ord. 2044 § 7, 2021; Ord. 1994 § 1, 2018).
5.36.040 Display of city business license.
A copy of the valid city business license shall be prominently displayed upon all vehicles from which a mobile food vendor sells products. (Ord. 2044 § 7, 2021; Ord. 1994 § 1, 2018).
5.36.050 Restrictions applicable to all mobile food vendors.
A. Mobile food vending on public streets and/or public rights-of-way within the city shall require issuance of any applicable right-of-way use permits pursuant to Chapter 13.12 PMC.
B. A mobile food vendor shall not obstruct or cause to obstruct the passage of any pedestrian or vehicle on any sidewalk, street, fire lane, or any parking area, including obstructions caused by customer queues or customers consuming any food sold by the mobile food vendor at or near the place where the items are being offered for sale. (Ord. 1994 § 1, 2018).
5.36.060 General regulations.
A. The mobile food vendors shall leave the property in which they conduct business clean and vacant each day, including picking up trash and litter generated by the mobile food vendor’s customers.
B. The owner of real property on which a mobile food vendor is located shall be responsible for overall site maintenance. The property owner shall be responsible for the mobile food vendor’s compliance with the provisions of this chapter with respect to the mobile food vendor’s operation on the owner’s property.
C. All exterior trash receptacles not intended for customer use shall be screened from public view and securely covered.
D. The use of any portion of the vending unit as living or sleeping quarters is prohibited.
E. All attachments to the vending unit, including but not limited to signs, lights, overhangs, and awnings, shall be maintained in such a manner as to not create a hazard to pedestrians, customers or vehicles. Flashing lights and similar displays are prohibited.
F. One portable pop-up tent or umbrella, not to exceed 10 feet by 12 feet in size, or up to three tables with beach-type umbrellas may be used for cover for patrons. Cooking shall not take place under any tent. Umbrellas and canopies must be removed at the end of each day.
G. Grease and Wastewater.
1. A grease trap shall be installed and maintained on all mobile food preparation vehicles.
2. Grease and wastewater shall be properly disposed of per adopted state and local health regulations.
H. Except for special events or activities authorized by a temporary use permit, no portable restrooms for use in connection with a mobile food vendor shall be allowed on a site.
I. Mobile food vendors shall not sell or serve alcoholic beverages.
J. For any property in which the mobile food vendor conducts business, mobile food preparation vehicles shall not occupy for more than 18 hours during any 24-hour period.
K. All mobile food vendors shall comply with all laws, rules and regulations regarding food handling, and all mobile food preparation vehicles used by mobile food vendors shall comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations respecting such vehicles as established by Public Health – Seattle and King County, state and local traffic laws, and the provisions of this code.
L. A mobile food vendor shall obtain a “mobile food facility permit” from the Valley Regional Fire Authority (VRFA). The permit shall be submitted with the business license.
M. Mobile food vendors shall comply with the standards of the State Department of Labor and Industries for electrical services and with the city electrical code (Chapter 17.04 PMC), including any electrical service to a mobile food preparation vehicle. In no event shall a mobile food vendor locate electrical lines or extension cords overhead or on the ground in any location in which the public has access. (Ord. 1994 § 1, 2018).
5.36.070 Penalties.
Any person or persons who violate or fail to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to the provisions of PMC 5.02.180 and 5.02.200. (Ord. 1994 § 1, 2018).