[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of the City of Mayville 7-10-2017 by Ord. No. 1092-2017. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Direct sellers, transient merchants and solicitors — See Ch. 193.
Peace and good order — See Ch. 317.
Vehicles and traffic — See Ch. 397.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
FOOD
All articles used for food, nonalcoholic drink or condiment, including ice or water used by humans, whether simple, mixed or compound, and articles used or intended for use as ingredients in the composition or preparation thereof.
MOBILE FOOD VEHICLE
A self-contained, mobile food unit, including trucks, carts and trailers, in which food is prepared or processed and from which food is sold or dispensed to the end consumer.
MOBILE FOOD VEHICLE VENDOR
The owner of a mobile food vehicle or pushcart; hereinafter referred to as "vendor."
PUSHCART
A non-self-propelled wheeled cart, specifically designed and used for keeping, storing, cooling food or beverage or warming food or beverage for sale by a mobile food vehicle vendor, which may be moved by one person without the assistance of a motor.
TRANSIENT MERCHANT/DIRECT SELLER/SOLICITOR
See Chapter 193, Direct Sellers, Transient Merchants and Solicitors.
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to do any of the following within a public right-of-way or on public property in the City of Mayville without first having obtained a valid mobile food vending license as prescribed in this chapter:
(1) 
Operate a mobile food vehicle or pushcart;
(2) 
Serve, sell or distribute food from a mobile food vehicle or pushcart;
(3) 
Cook, wrap, package, process or portion food in a mobile food vehicle or pushcart for service, sale or distribution.
B. 
No person shall park, stop or operate a mobile food vehicle or pushcart, nor shall any mobile food vehicle vendor permit any person to park, stop or operate a mobile food vehicle or pushcart in a location adjacent to or within a two-hundred-foot radius of the nearest edge of any building or section of a building comprising a licensed food establishment within the City, the kitchen of which is open for serving food to patrons, excluding any patio, awning or temporary enclosure attached thereto. This requirement may be waived if the most recent application for a mobile food vending license was submitted together with the written consent of the proprietor of the adjacent licensed food establishment.
C. 
All vendors will abide by all parking and traffic laws, ordinances, statutes, rules and regulations at all times, except that a mobile food vehicle that is of such a length that it occupies all or a portion of two marked parking spaces may park in said spaces so long as it abides by all other parking restrictions, including length of time operations.
D. 
Mobile food vehicle vending locations will be utilized on a first-come-first-reserved basis and may generally occur in commercially and industrially zoned areas (subject to limitations within residential areas). All mobile food vehicle units must maintain a distance of five feet from the nearest edge of any building and two feet from the curbs. All vendors will maintain the appropriate distances from crosswalks, curb cuts, sidewalk benches, bike racks, bus shelters and stops and other obstructions. The vendor is required to set up the mobile food vehicle, arrange for waiting on customers and have customers line up in a way that avoids conflict between customers and the traveling public, including pedestrians, parked vehicles and moving vehicles. A vendor shall maintain a clearance of not less than five feet wide on any public sidewalk upon which a pushcart is located. Mobile food vehicles are not permitted on public sidewalks. A vendor shall maintain clear access to and visibility of crosswalks and street corners. When operating in the public right-of-way, serving and dispensing of food products shall be directed toward the sidewalk or terrace area immediately adjacent.
E. 
Vendors are not allowed in City parking lots or on public property, except with written approval from Parks and Recreation Director or the Mayor. Vendors are not allowed in City parks where the City has a vending contract with a concessionaire or in City parks when concession or food stands are open. Mobile vehicle food vending is not allowed adjacent to parks with vending contracts or open concession or food stands. Vendors are allowed adjacent to City parks upon approval of the Parks and Recreation Director, the City Engineer or Chief of Police or their respective designee(s).
F. 
Vendors may set up on private property zoned for business, recreational or industrial land use, but such an operation may require a temporary use permit. In residential areas (such as areas not adjacent to City parks), vendors are not permitted to park and stay in one location; vendors must keep moving and make only short stops to sell products, except as part of an approved special event or upon approval by the Parks and Recreation Director or the Mayor.
G. 
A person with a valid driver's license of such a classification to allow the operation of the mobile food vehicle shall be with the vehicle at all times that any activity is taking place in the mobile food vehicle. The vendor is liable for any violation of this subsection.
H. 
No person will park, stop or operate a mobile food vehicle, nor will any mobile food vehicle vendor permit any person to park, stop or operate a mobile food vehicle in a location within 500 feet of the boundary line of any property upon which a fair, farmer's market, festival, carnival, circus, special event or civic event licensed or sanctioned by the City is occurring except with permission of the Parks and Recreation Director or the Mayor.
I. 
Appropriate permits or other properly obtained permission must be obtained to park, stop or operate a mobile food vehicle or push cart in a location within 500 feet of the boundary line of any property upon which a fair, farmer's market, festival, carnival, circus, special event or civic event licensed or sanctioned by the City is occurring.
J. 
All mobile food vehicle vendors are prohibited from connecting to light poles, utility poles or any public source of electricity, water or sewer, or to any planter or tree or other public amenity.
K. 
All signage must be permanently affixed to the mobile food vehicle or pushcart. No accessory signage will be placed outside or around the mobile food vehicle or pushcart.
L. 
Mobile food vehicle or pushcart vending hours on public property and public rights-of-way are from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Sunday through Thursday) and from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Friday and Saturday). The mobile food vehicle must be closed, the area cleaned and the mobile food vehicle removed by the time specified. Mobile food vehicle vending hours are not restricted on private property locations.
M. 
Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to supersede or repeal any ordinance relating to noise, park closing hours or parking, except as specifically provided in this chapter. Vendors will take every precaution to ensure that their operations do not materially affect the peace and welfare of the general public nor cause any unreasonably loud, disturbing and unnecessary noise or any noise of such character, intensity or duration as to be detrimental to the life or health of any individual or which is in the disturbance of public peace and welfare.
N. 
Mobile food establishments shall keep the area clean and free from litter, garbage and rubble and debris at all times. They shall maintain at least one leakproof container for the deposit of waste, garbage, litter and refuse. When leaving the vending area, the mobile vendor and his/her employee(s) shall be responsible for the removal of all litter resulting from its operations.
[Amended 11-10-2025 by Ord. No. 1152-2025]
A. 
Any person desiring to operate a mobile food vehicle or pushcart will make written application for a mobile food vending license to the City Clerk's office. The application for such license shall be on forms provided by the City Clerk's office and will include all of the following:
(1) 
A completed mobile food vendor application with signature and payment of fees.
(2) 
The applicant shall submit a copy of the current mobile food establishment permit issued by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
(3) 
The applicant shall provide a mobile food vendor license plan addressing sanitation, pedestrian and traffic safety, including the following standards:
(a) 
The proposed plan will not create any significantly adverse traffic impacts, traffic safety hazards, pedestrian/vehicle conflicts or pedestrian safety hazards or impede building ingress/egress.
(b) 
The proposed plan will not create any significantly adverse impacts on neighboring properties as a result of:
[1] 
The accumulation of garbage, trash or other waste.
[2] 
Noise created by operation of the equipment.
[3] 
Light and glare.
[4] 
Odors and noxious fumes.
[5] 
The proposed plan will not be detrimental to the public health, safety or general welfare.
(4) 
No mobile food vendor shall be located on any private property without written permission from the property owner. A copy of the written permission shall be submitted at the time of application if the vendor wishes to operate on private property.
(5) 
For the Parks and Recreation Director, said conditions of approval shall be filed with the application and incorporated therein.
(6) 
All vehicles must pass inspection by the Mayville Fire Department. A copy of a passing inspection report must be submitted prior to approval of the application.
(7) 
A valid copy of proof of registration for the vehicle and driver's licenses for all operators and proof of insurance.
(8) 
Copy of a valid Wisconsin seller's permit.
(9) 
A photograph of the unit.
(10) 
The name, address and phone number of the primary applicant, together with the name, address and phone number of all individuals who will be operating a mobile food vehicle.
(11) 
Any additional information deemed necessary by the City Clerk to determine if issuance of a mobile food vending license to a particular applicant would be in the best interest of the public.
B. 
Upon receipt of an application for a mobile food vending license, the Clerk may conduct a background check and may refer to the Chief of Police, or his or her designee, who may make and complete an investigation of the statements made in such registration. Any such investigation will be completed as soon as practicable. The City Clerk may refuse to register the applicant if any of the following is determined:
(1) 
The application contains any material omission or materially inaccurate statements;
(2) 
The applicant was convicted of a crime, statutory violation or ordinance violation within the last five years, the nature of which is directly related the applicant's fitness to engage in direct selling; or
(3) 
The applicant failed to comply with any requirement of the application.
C. 
Mobile food vendor permit required.
(1) 
No person shall operate as a mobile food vendor within the City without first obtaining a mobile food vendor permit, issued by the City Clerk.
(2) 
Permit types. The City Clerk shall issue the following types of mobile food vendor permits upon proper application and payment of fees established by the Common Council:
(a) 
Annual permit. An annual permit is valid from June 1 through May 30.
(b) 
Seasonal permit. A seasonal permit is valid from June 1 through August 31.
(c) 
Single-day event permit. This permit authorizes operation for one day, in connection with a community event, festival, private event, or other activity approved by the City. A single-day event permit shall be valid only for the date specified on the permit and shall not be transferable.
(3) 
Applications for mobile food vendor permits shall be made on forms provided by the City Clerk and shall include such information as the Clerk may require to ensure compliance with this chapter and other applicable laws.
(4) 
Applications for renewals shall be handled in the same manner as original applications.
(5) 
The fee for each aforementioned permit shall be set through the schedule of fees, approved annually by the Common Council.
(6) 
All permit holders shall comply with the regulations set forth in this chapter and any other applicable state or local laws.
D. 
A mobile food vending license is not transferable from person to person.
E. 
A mobile food vending license is valid for one vehicle only and is not transferable.
F. 
The mobile food vending license will be permanently and prominently affixed to the mobile food vehicle.
G. 
Any person denied a mobile vending license may appeal the denial to the Common Council by filing a written statement therewith within 14 days after the date registration was denied, setting forth the grounds for appeal. The City Clerk or the City Clerk's designee will notify the applicant, at least 48 hours prior to the Common Council meeting, of the time and place of such hearing.
A mobile food vending license may be suspended or revoked by the City Clerk, or the Chief of Police, if the license holder made any material omission or materially inaccurate statements in the license application, or if the license holder violates any provision of this chapter, if there are noise complaints related to the mobile food vehicle or the operation thereof, or if the license holder is convicted of any crime or ordinance or statutory violation directly related to the licensed activity. Notice of suspension or revocation will be mailed to the applicant and will include a statement of the act(s) upon which the denial is based.
A. 
Any person adjudged in violation of any provision of this chapter shall forfeit not less than $10 or more than $1,000 for each violation per day, plus costs of prosecution. Each violation shall constitute a separate offense.
B. 
The Police Department and the Department of Public Works shall have concurrent authority to remove or cause the removal of any vending equipment or merchandise found on the street, sidewalk, terrace or other vending location in violation of any regulations established pursuant hereto. In addition to any forfeiture, the violator shall be liable for any removal, towing and storage charges incurred by either Department.