It is the intent of this chapter to permit mobile food vendors an opportunity to enhance the pedestrian experience and support the intent of the commercial zone in which it is located. Mobile food vending includes offering food for sale to the general public from a vehicle, conveyance, or a nonpermanent structure or place of business.
(Ord. 995 § 12 (Exh. A), 2015; Ord. 1022 § 16, 2017)
A. 
Mobile food vendors may be located on private property, city property, or city street right-of-way (not SR 507 or SR 510).
B. 
All mobile food vendors are required to obtain a city business license and be approved by the Thurston County health department.
C. 
Mobile food vendors may not impede pedestrian or vehicular movements within the public right-of-way.
(Ord. 995 § 12 (Exh. A), 2015; Ord. 1022 § 16, 2017)
A. 
The maximum size for mobile food unit, including accessory structures, is 300 square feet.
B. 
A canopy or umbrella may be included with the mobile food unit. The canopy or umbrella should be of vinyl, canvas, or similar durable material. All parts of the canopy or umbrella must have a minimum of seven feet of vertical clearance to the ground.
C. 
Accessory seating and tables must meet the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
D. 
Restroom facilities to be used by the mobile food employees shall be consistent with the regulations set by the Washington Department of Health. If tables and chairs are provided for customer use, customer restroom facilities must be provided as required by the Thurston County health department. Written approval from the property owner of the restroom facility must be provided before approval of the mobile food vending application.
E. 
Mobile food vendors must meet the setbacks to private property lines of the zoning district in which the use is located.
F. 
Mobile food vendor units must be self-contained.
G. 
Electrical power generators are not permitted unless noise impacts can be mitigated.
H. 
Utility service connections are permitted. Electrical service connections may be permitted by an adjacent property owner when the following requirements are met:
1. 
Electrical lines are not allowed overhead or lying on the sidewalk.
2. 
The outlet location must be placed outside walkways which are accessible to the public.
3. 
Hookup must be permanently wired to the retail stand and meet National Electrical Code requirements as to type, size and grounding, terminating in an approved outside weatherproof type receptacle.
I. 
Mobile food vendors must keep the site clean and orderly at all times, and pick up all refuse or debris. All vendors must provide a refuse container for customer use.
J. 
Mobile food vendors located within parking lots shall not occupy more than 15 percent of the parking spaces required for the primary use of the property, and provide safe vehicular maneuvering area for its customers.
K. 
Mobile food vendors located within public right-of-way must:
1. 
Be located at least 100 feet from an existing food establishment. This minimum distance may be reduced or waived if the existing establishment provides written statement approving the location.
2. 
Assure the public sidewalk remains accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
3. 
Obtain and maintain liability and property damage insurance coverage, in the amount of $1,000,000, naming the city as the co-insured, and sign an agreement to indemnify and hold the city harmless.
(Ord. 1022 § 16, 2017; Ord. 1124 § 2 (Att.), 2025)