Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance enacts new Columbus City Code Chapter 573 and repeals the existing version of Chapter 573, which currently regulates pushcarts. The newly enacted code will regulate all mobile food vendors such as food trucks, food trailers and pushcarts.
In November 2012, City Council was approached about developing regulations for food trucks and other mobile food vendors. The specific request was to permit mobile food vendors to operate in and sell from the public right of way. Currently, Chapter 573 permits pushcarts to operate on public sidewalks; however, C.C.C. §2151.16 of the Traffic Code restricts commercials sales from the public streets to no more than 15 minutes. While this can accommodate vendors such as ice cream trucks, the 15 minute limit makes it effectively impossible for other mobile food vendors to operate from the public streets.
The primary goals of this effort were to support a growing industry, bring mobile food vendors into the fabric of our city and update the code so that it can meet the needs of today’s mobile food industry, all while preserving public health and safety. The food truck industry is growing in Columbus and across the nation. Columbus is becoming a food destination. In addition to current and prospective food truck owners wanting to be able to sell from the public streets, there is demand for greater access to food trucks from residents and tourists.
All mobile food vendors are already inspected and licensed by the Health Department. Chapter 523, titled “Commercial Sales,” regulates commercial sales on private property and in the public right of way. Mobile food vendors that are not pushcarts were required to be licensed under Chapter 523. Pushcarts were already regulated by the current Chapter 573.
This proposed code will replace the existing pushcart code and replace the requirement for mobile food vendors to be licensed under Chapter 523. The code will provide comprehensive regulations for ...
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