Corning extends moratorium on mobile food truck, street vendor permits

Julie R. Johnson, Corning Observer, Calif.
·2 min read

Jan. 29—The urgency ordinance placing a temporary moratorium on permits for mobile food trucks in Corning has been extended.

By unanimous vote the City Council voted on Jan. 23 to extend the moratorium for an additional 22 months and 15 days in an effort to allow city staff to finalize updates to a draft mobile food truck ordinance currently on the books.

Once the draft is finished, it will be presented to the City Council, probably during the Feb. 13 meeting, for a vote.

The moratorium was put in place on Dec. 12 and applies to mobile foot trucks and mobile street vendors.

"The current ordinance applies to both modes of sale, yet there is a distinct difference and laws regarding the two of them," said City Attorney Collin Bogener.

Extended the moratorium allows time for the city to write ordinances separating mobile food trucks and mobile street vendors into two separate ordinances.

"Separating the two modes of vending and writing ordinances accordingly would also benefit the city and its citizens as a whole," Bogener said.

The difference, according to city staff, is a mobile food truck is a food service business contained within the mobile van/truck, while a street vendor is an outdoors mode of sales.

Street vendors are often seen in town selling goods ranging from prepared food items, flowers, stuffed animals and blankets to watermelons, corn, cantaloupes, strawberries and other fresh produce.

"Most of the street vendors you see around town have not been permitted by the city," said Chrissy Meeds, City Recreation/Planning director.

City Manager Brant Mesker said the moratorium does not prohibit the currently permitted food trucks and street vendors from continuing to operate as the city revises its current ordinance.

There are currently 14 mobile food trucks operating under city permits in the town.

A special joint city council, planning commission meeting took place on Jan. 16 during which the council, commission and the public discussed and then gave direction to city staff concerning changes to the mobile food truck ordinance.

A few of those changes included placing a cap on the number of food trucks permits allowed, hours of operation, proof of insurance and registration, distance between food trucks and other food businesses, access to restrooms, site developments, parking, signage and noise.