Title
Notice/Advertisement Title: MOBILE FOOD VENDING ADVISORY BOARD
Contact Name: Ben Lee
Contact Telephone Number: 614.645.7471
Contact Email Address: bclee@columbus.gov
Body
MEETING AGENDA
MOBILE FOOD VENDING ADVISORY BOARD
THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2026, at 2:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER Benjamin Lee, Chairperson
ROLL CALL Glenn Rutter, License Officer
READING OF THE MINUTES FROM JANUARY 22, 2026 MEETING Benjamin Lee, Chairperson
OLD BUSINESS
• January 22, 2026, Mobile Food Vending license stats for 2025.
o 489 Mobile Food Vending issued
o 69 PROW issued (32 pushcarts)
o 31 MFV pending (Pending, failed inspections and incomplete paperwork)
Current Renewal Mobile Food Vending license stats as of 4/02/2026.
o 125 Mobile Food Vending issued
o 33 PROW issued (24 pushcarts)
o 107 MFV submitted pending applications (Incomplete paperwork, No Show for inspections or failed inspections)
o 4/16/26 is final day of MFV inspection rodeo
• Three new spots are being implemented
o Truck/trailer
§ 1467 N High St (6:00 am-3:00 am)
§ 1567 N High St (4:00 pm-3:00 am)
o Pushcart
§ 1680 N High St
• Expanded daytime reservation hours are being implemented for three existing spots:
o 830 N High St (Mon-Fri 11:00 am-2:00 pm)
o 1680 N High St (Mon-Sun 11:00 am-2:00 pm)
o 1728 N High St (Mon-Sun 11:00 am-2:00 pm)
• Expanded reservation hours for OSU football Saturdays are being considered for the following spots:
o 658 N High St
o 677 N High St (Chase Bank)
o 698 N High St (698 Restaurant)
o 815 N High St
o 830 N High St (Huntington Bank)
o 885 N High St
o 969 N High St (Dublin Cleaners)
o 1015 N High St (Equitas Health Pharmacy
o 1066 N HighSt
o 1161 N High St
o 1484 N High St (Cocky’s Bagel Sandwiches)
o Gateway
o 1598 N High St (Barnes & Noble)
o 1620 N High St
o 1624 N High St (formerly City Gear)
o Midway on High
o 1806 N High St
o 1816 N High St (Pella Company)
o 1886 N High St
o High & E 16th Ave
o 1892 N High St (Target)
o 2060 N High St (Dunkin Donuts)
o High & Frambes
o 2094 N High St (UDF)
o 90E Lane Ave (I Love Noods)
• Discussions were had with Public Service in regards to holding a Food Court outside 77 N Front St. Dates to be determined.
• CCC 573.131 (b) does not allow the operation of an MFV unit within 1,000 feet of a special event.
o 573.131(b) Mobile food vending units operating in the public right of way shall comply with the requirements of Titles 9 and 21, where applicable. No individual or organization shall cause or allow the operation of a mobile food vending unit in any of the following:
(15) Within one-thousand (1,000) feet of any special event, except as follows: with the express written permission of the event organizer; as an authorized participant in said event; or utilizing a designated mobile food vending access permit in an area not impacted by a street closure;
o 573.01 (dd)"Public event" shall, for the purposes of a mobile food vending license, mean any public activity or gathering or assemblage of people, other than a special event, that is open to the general public for admission, requires payment for entrance, attendance or participation, and requires the issuance of a health license or temporary health license pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 3717.01 for participating mobile food vendors. "Public event" includes, by way of example and not by way of limitation, a sporting event at an arena or stadium, a state fair, a concert, or a theatre production.
o 573.01(kk)"Special event" shall, for the purposes of a mobile food vending license, have the same meaning set out in Chapter 923.
o 573.138 - Special events and public events operation, licensed mobile food vending units.
§ (a) No mobile food vending license shall be required for any mobile food vending unit that operates exclusively within special events and/or public events.
§ (b) If a mobile food vending unit operates in the public right of way solely due to its participation in a special event or public event, such unit shall not be required to obtain a public right of way license.
§ (c) No mobile food vending unit with a current and valid license shall require an inspection or inspection fee by Columbus Public Health, the License Section or the Division of Fire in order to participate in a special event.
§ (d) Proof of current and valid license shall be offered to the event organizers upon application.
§ (e) Nothing in this section shall limit periodic inspections by the city of Columbus at the discretion of the inspecting authority.
• While we were unable to determine how the original MFV operating times and zones were created, moving forward, any additions or changes may be suggested to the City, after which they are reviewed by the License Section, the Department of Public Service, and Street Food Finder. Those findings are then presented to and voted upon by the MFV Advisory Board for final recommendation for implementation. The Director of Building and Zoning Services ultimately has the final say.
• A recommendation was made by the Board to move the Rideshare Pickup/Drop off signage in the Short North area one parking spot forward. This recommendation is still be reviewed by the Department of Public Service.
NEW BUSINESS
• Welcome new Private Property representative Enrico Margaroli
o Pledge of Ethical Conduct and Oath of Office
OPEN DISCUSSION
ADJOURNMENT
• The next MFV Board Meeting will be on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 2:00 pm