A new ordinance that will implement fees and regulations for mobile food vendors is being proposed and planned for discussion by Scottsdale City Council on Dec. 7.

The intent is to “protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public by enacting reasonable regulation for mobile food vendors, their employees, agents, lessees or independent contractors,” according to the ordinance document.

Operating a food establishment that is readily movable and has immediate service and consumption is considered a mobile food unit. This most often applies to food trucks, but vendors whose business fits the definition of a mobile food unit must follow these guidelines as well.

A vendor can expect to hear if their application was approved or not in a shorter timeframe of up to 45 days once they have been notified that the application is administratively complete. Vendors now also cannot operate within 50 feet of an intersection. A visual graphic on the Scottsdaleaz.gov website depicts this and other parking regulations that must be followed.

Ordinances for food trucks usually happen annually; The last ordinance was announced in May 2020. Announced by Gov. Doug Ducey just one month earlier in April 2020, food trucks have the ability to operate at state rest stops, according to the executive order.

“Residents, business owners, food truck operators, and other interested parties are invited to provide input on the city’s proposed mobile food vendor ordinance,” reads the website.

The new fees imposed in ordinance no. 4525 include the initial application or late renewal fee for $350; the annual license renewal fee for $50; a state fingerprint processing fee (determined by the Arizona Department of Public Safety); and a duplicate printed license for $10, which covers the cost of staff time, paper, and postage.

Permit applications can be found on the Scottsdale government website.

While the pandemic shut down most stand-alone restaurant businesses, mobile food vendors had the advantage and were still able to operate. This ordinance will be important for many mobile restaurant owners in Scottsdale to follow as food trucks have become increasingly popular over the last year.

“Food truck operators have shifted to target residential neighborhoods, essential businesses and rest stops. In particular, some food trucks have partnered with hospitals and factories to park at their lots. Other food trucks have shifted to offer groceries amid the pandemic,” according to IBISWorld.

Doug Ducey released an executive order back in April 2020 that expanded food options for commercial vehicle drivers, which in turn helped mobile food vendors expand their business to rest stops, according to reporting from Arizona’s Family. The permit necessary to obtain in order to operate at rest stops does not have a fee, according to the executive order.

The full ordinance, encouraged to be ready by mobile restaurant owners, can be viewed here. The decision on the passing will take place on Tuesday Dec. 7. Input can be directed toward Terry Hoglun at thoglund@scottsdaleaz.gov.

Editor’s Note: Anézia Marques is a student reporter at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications.