October 6, 2022 |
Saratoga is moving closer to implementing food truck licenses.
Some brick-and-mortar restaurants have reported complained to the local chamber of commerce about visiting mobile food vendors. Specifically, ones setting up in the parking lot of the Family Dollar, on First and East Main Streets. Amanda Knotwell, CEO of the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce, said businesses felt the trucks were skirting regulations, although it is unclear which ones. It could be matter of unwelcome competition.
At last Tuesday’s town council meeting, Councilman Jon Nelson brought his rough draft of a new town ordinance. It addresses food trucks, and is largely based on statues on the books in Laramie. Nelson started by defining what, exactly, a food truck is.
Pictured above: File photo of food truck.
Under the new ruleset, a “mobile vendor” would be required to obtain a business license to operate within Saratoga town limits. The town clerk’s office would be responsible for issuing these licenses, which would be good for one year.
Nelson had not set the amount of the fee amount in his draft ordinance. He said the license wasn’t to generate money, but to gatekeep who was doing business in the town.
Requiring a license would allow the town to control which vendors can do business. If a food truck disregards the rules, the town can have their license revoked or suspended.
Nelson read the general rules and regulations of his draft ordinance. Mobile vendors would be required to carry insurance and be certified by the Wyoming Department of Agriculture. At least one employee must be on site the entire time. Any audio used by the food truck cannot be heard from neighboring properties. Nelson said no one can dump garbage on the ground or in the sewers.
There are different sets of rules for mobile vendors operating on private and public property.
A mobile vendor setting up on private land, must do so in a retail or highway business zone with permission from the land owner. They are prohibited from operating in a residential area, unless they are catering a private event and not selling to the public. They are not allowed within 200 feet from a school. Nelson said there are specific hours food trucks may operate depending on how far from a residential zone they are.
Nelson continued on to the stipulations for vending on public land. These licenses would only be granted when the town designates a specific place and time to allow mobile vending. They will be first come, first serve and vendors will not be permitted to set up outside of the posted area.
There are exemptions where a license is not necessary. Nelson said that farmers who sell their own meat and produce won’t need a permit. The same applies for anyone under 18 who is selling drinks. Nelson mentioned other exemptions.
If a food truck is invited by the school to cater an event, they won’t need a license. The same applies if they are operating near a town park with approval from the parks and recreation department. Nelson said that special events won’t require a permit, but trucks can’t set up anywhere they want.
Vendors from the farmers’ market had voiced concerns to the council about the town regulating them. Nelson wanted to be clear that the town wouldn’t frivolously require licenses.
Nelson hadn’t set a fee amount when he drafted his ordinance. He mentioned that Laramie charges $50 a year. Councilwoman D’Ron Campbell suggested that Saratoga also use that number. Nelson said that he would add it into his outline.
Nelson would like more public input before setting anything in stone. He has requested that this matter be addressed at the next town council meeting.
