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Resident complaints about noise, fire hazards and unpermitted food sales prompted the city council on Monday to consider updating decades-old regulations governing mobile and street vendors.
While no action was taken, the council discussed ways to improve road and food safety, particularly for pop-up vendors operating from vehicles.
Initial regulations for sidewalk vendors, such as food carts, were approved in 1950, with the most recent changes adopted in 1971.
“I think this has been the most distressing to a lot of folks because it has proliferated in the last few years,” said Economic Development Manager Amanda Anthony. “A lot of the complaints we get are about unpermitted food vendors.”
The city’s ordinance regulating mobile vendors, such as food trucks, was adopted in 1987.
In recent years, however, the state has passed several bills that the city wants to align with, including measures that use citations rather than criminal penalties for vendors who violate health codes.
“Not touching our ordinance for 40 years is probably not the answer,” Council member Jeff Gee said.
Possible changes discussed Monday included limiting vendor hours, requiring trash cans at vendor sites and prohibiting vendors near schools.
“I think street vending is good for small businesses,” said Dylan Finch. “Maybe designated areas for vendors would be great.”
Other residents complained about noise from food trucks in residential neighborhoods and about competition from unpermitted street vendors.
“We have a problem,” said Anthony Persons. “Can we please move them to nonresidential areas?”
“It’s a fire hazard. They are loud,” Persons added. “Have some respect. Move them out.”
The city conducted outreach last July to speak with vendors, and staff recommended conducting another outreach effort as part of the 2026-27 budget process.
An updated ordinance is expected to come before the council in early summer.
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Queue bureaucracy to stifle small businesses in ..3…2..1…
This sounds like one “Karen” whining and nothing else.
-Fire hazard?
-Get off of my lawn!
-Noise?
-Residential?
Businesses don’t setup where there is no demand or the aren’t in business much longer.
Small business growth should be encouraged and EVERYTHING, within reason, should be offered to promote it.