Council unanimously adopted legislation updating ordinances regarding mobile food units, commonly known as food trucks. The North Royalton City Council adopted legislation regulating food trucks in 2021 after over a year of discussions. Up until that point, food trucks were allowed in the city through the use of special event permits.
North Royalton Community Development Director, Tom Jordan stated that “according to our code, a food truck is defined as ‘any apparatus or equipment that is used to cook, prepare or serve food, and that routinely changes or can change location and is operated from a moveable vehicle or apparatus, including but not limited to motorized vehicles, trailers and hand propelled carts.”
Some residents from the Sherwood development had previously addressed Council on several occasions, explaining the problems that have been caused by excessive noise such as that from the generators that the food trucks were using and the people gathering around the trucks. They also talked about the lights coming from the trucks. One resident said that she can hear the noise as soon as she pulls in her driveway and when she is sitting in her house. Council has discussed varying ways to address these types of issues and agreed to repeal the existing chapter in the ordinances and amend it.
The new ordinance amends the city’s Codified Ordinances, Part Eight Business Regulation and Taxation Code, Title Two Business Regulation of the Codified Ordinances of the City of North Royalton by creating a new Chapter 845, Mobile Food Unit Regulations. Under the ordinance, the owner of the food truck shall register with the Building Division and pass a Fire Department inspection prior to operating in the city. Property owners hosting a food truck need to obtain a permit from the city’s Building Department and are responsible in ensuring that the unit is registered. Residents, homeowners’ associations and condominium owner associations hosting a food truck on their private property, on a one-time basis (within a six month period) are not required to file for a permit.
The registration fee is $100 for one year. Fire Department inspection fee is $100 initially, with a $50 fee for subsequent inspections. Food trucks must maintain Board of Health and applicable federal, state or local licensures and certifications and have liability insurance coverage of $1 million per occurrence.
The mobile food unit shall not be parked on the street overnight or left unattended. They are prohibited from serving alcoholic beverages. Drive-through services are prohibited. The units are not to be allowed in an area that impedes the right-of-way for vehicles, or present an unsafe condition for patrons, pedestrians or vehicles. They must provide trash/recycling receptacles that are to be removed at the close of business. Fueling or generators shall not be permitted on the host site. Sound coming from the unit may not unreasonably disturb nearby residents, businesses, pedestrians or vehicles. They shall adhere to all applicable parking regulations for commercial vehicles.
By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer