Workshop Item Erik Thorvig, Community Development Director
Title
Food Truck Regulations in the City of Blaine
Background
The topic of food truck regulations in the City of Blaine has been discussed by staff as an increase in requests are being made by vendors. Blaine City Code defines food trucks as a transient merchant. A transient merchant means a person who temporarily sets up business out of a vehicle, trailer, boxcar, tent, other portable shelter, or empty store front for the purpose of exposing or displaying for sale, selling or attempting to sell, and delivering goods, wares, products, merchandise, or other personal property and who does not remain in any one location for more than 14 consecutive days. Current city regulations only permit transient merchants in I-2A, Heavy Industrial zoning districts. This was intentional when the regulations were established to limit transient merchants in the city. Food trucks are also permitted when a Special Event License is granted through the city.
Food trucks have become more popular since the transient merchant regulations were established. There have been frustrations with current regulations in Blaine by both food truck vendors and groups wanting to host a food truck. For example, a Special Event License requires submission to the city 45 days prior to the event among other cumbersome criteria. This may be unrealistic for a business to meet who simply wants to host a food truck for an employee lunch. Alternatively, there has also been concerns expressed by brick and mortar restaurants about allowing an expansion of food trucks in Blaine as it could impact their business.
The attached Powerpoint identifies the current regulations in Blaine, examples from other similar cities and potential options to change the ordinance to be less limiting for food trucks. Staff will go into more detail as part of the presentation.
Staff Recommendation
Discuss and provide direction to staff whether to prepare amendments to the city code related to food trucks.
Attachment List
PowerPoint