Council holds first reading on food-truck rules to allow downtown and commercial vending
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Summary
The council heard a first reading of an ordinance to add mobile-vending (food-truck) permits to the city code. The proposed rules would allow food trucks in downtown and some commercial/industrial areas with time and spacing limits and require merchant and state food licenses.
City Engineer Justin Peterson presented a first reading of an ordinance amendment on July 7 proposing a new permitting framework for mobile vending and food trucks in Watertown.
Peterson said staff modeled the draft language on ordinances from other cities but simplified requirements for local conditions. Under the draft, applicants could seek one-time-event permits, seasonal permits, or ongoing authorization in designated downtown and approved commercial or industrial areas. The draft sets location rules (three diagonal parking spaces or two parallel spaces per vendor, intended to require unhooking of trailers); requires a city merchant license and a state food license; and prohibits vending in front of fire hydrants or handicapped spaces. Sidewalk operation must preserve a five-foot ADA clearance, Peterson said in answer to a council question.
This was a first reading, so no council vote was taken. Staff told councilors they would return with the ordinance for a subsequent reading and potential adoption.
Key points under consideration: where vendors will be allowed, parking-configuration limits (diagonal/parallel spaces), licensing and health-code compliance and ADA sidewalk clearance requirements. The council did not modify the proposed code during the first reading.