1. Mobile food vendor policy
MPO Best Practice Recommendation
March, 2017

2. Why develop a mobile food vending ordinance?
Proactive
Current regulations likely inadequate
Incubate small businesses
Send pro-economic development message that your community embraces innovation

3. Policy Development Interdepartmental committee Public meeting
Development of administrative rules and enforcement plan with development of policy
Pass initial rules as a trial run for a year then codify

4. Streamlining
Create a centralized process by limiting the number of city departments a vendor needs to interact with for approval
Provide all documents in one location on the city’s website
Create a checklist of items that need to be completed

5. Recommended Fees/Costs
High costs can serve as a barrier to vendors yet cities need to recoup some costs associated with staff time for permitting and enforcement
Fees and sometimes applications waived for nonprofits (less than 3 consecutive days), farm stands/seasonal sale of unprocessed whole, catering, “lemonade stands”, concession stands associated with sports or recreation venues that have been approved as part of a site plan or permitted conditional use permit for the venue

6. Recommended Fees/Costs
Recommend the following fee schedule:
Weekly - $100
Six month - $300
Annual - $500
License is not required for mobile food vendors operating in conjunction with a special event or carnival but should be considered and approved during the special event permit process.

7. Recommended Fees/Costs
Not recommend charging private property owners for a premise permit due to the increased paperwork it creates for city staff.
Fire inspection costs should be a one-time inspection that can be used across municipalities in the region
Parking in a metered location should be limited to the amount paid if actually parked there for those set number of hours.
General liability insurance coverage - $1,000,000 or more per occurrence

8. Types of Vendors Considered in Ordinance
Food trucks (including trailers)
Ice cream trucks
Food carts
Food stands (shacks and booths)
Bustaurants
Farm stands
“lemonade” stands

9. Types of Vendors Considered in Ordinance
NOT included:
Pre-schedule appointments
Door to door sales
Sales of non-food items

10. Vending Locations Considered
Public right-of-way
Numbered parking spaces
Metered parking spaces
All other on-street parking
City parks and golf courses
Private property
Special events and carnivals (2 blocks from a special event if not part of the event)

11. Vending Locations Considered
Unless in a metered or numbered parking spot, not assigned to a specific location
Must be 100 feet from a restaurant
Allowed in commercial and residential areas

12. Hours of Operation Cannot operate between 2:00 AM and 6:30 AM
If intermittent sales in non-fixed location, hours limited to 10 AM – 8 PM
If on parkland, must obey park hours

13. Required Application Elements
Vendor contact information and equipment listing
Food service license issued by the State Department of Inspection and Appeals-Food Consumer Safety Bureau
Certificate of Insurance
Color photo of vending unit
Motor vehicle registration (when applicable)
LP permit from fire department

14. MPO Online Resources Overview of best practices Ordinance language
PowerPoint presentation
CR application, administrative rules, application checklist
Food Legion of Des Moines