Outdoor Vendor Study

Why Address Outdoor Vendors?

The City will evaluate whether to revise our Municipal Code to provide for the licensing or permitting of outdoor mobile food vendors who do not strictly meet the current code. Certain food vendors desire to operate in multiple locations and want to offer their products directly from the public streets. The current code allows a single license to one location and ability to operate within a public street.

Over the past several years the type, products, and distribution of outdoor mobile vendors has evolved and includes more options. These vendors want the City to be more accommodating and/or less restrictive in its licensing and permitting requirements. Conversely, local "bricks and mortar" merchants are concerned with the potential unfair competition from mobile vendors.

What are this study's Goals?

• Assess parameters of problem and issues as they relate to existing City Code for outdoor mobile vendors.
• Research other cities to identify potential options and solutions.
• Meet with identified stakeholders including local restaurants, Downtown Business Association, area mobile food truck vendors and get feedback on issues and potential options.
• Identify a framework of options that provide a fair approach for potential mobile vendors, and existing local businesses.

What issues will be considered?

• Clarify outdoor vendor types to be addressed and what not to be addressed.
  
• Can the issues be addressed by simple changes to the existing code, or is it worth doing a more thorough rewrite in anticipation of the growing trend towards outdoor and mobile vending?
• Single location versus multiple stops.
• Year-round/seasonal operations versus special events.
• Are there any political implications of the code change or are we just trying to get the ice cream truck operating in a legitimate manner?
• Safety: the code does not currently require background checks of outdoor vendors. Would a requirement be made of mobile vendors that are entering residential neighborhoods to obtain a background check similar to outdoor solicitors?
• Location of vendors: Downtown, neighborhoods and other areas.
• On-street safety concerns, engineering ROW impacts.

Potential Options

• Update the definitions for the various types of outdoor vendors and exemptions. It would also be necessary to expand the requirements to include more than one location or designate Fort Collins as a location in and of itself. The section that restricts outdoor vendors from using the street or roadway from vending would also need to be amended.
• Identify appropriate operational requirements for outdoor vendors.
• Update the Land Use Code's zoning and use requirements including where uses are or are not allowed.
• Identify Downtown map to identifying potential locations for outdoor vendors.

How can you get involved?

We will develop questionnaire to obtain public feedback from potentially-affected interests including Downtown businesses and restaurants, and existing outdoor vendors.We will also provide information and opportunities for public participation on this webpage. There are opportunities for public input when we present information and get input from Boards and Commissions including Planning and Zoning Board, Finance Committee, Transportation Board, and City Council.

What is the timeline for this plan?

January - February 2012
- Understand issues, current code provisions, research other cities codes
- Meet with stakeholders to understand issues and options

March - May 2012
- Draft recommendation for adoption
- Feedback from Boards and Commissions
- Council Work Session

June 2012
- Council Hearing

Contact

Pete Wray, Senior Planner, 970-221-6754,
Linda Samuelson, Revenue/Licensing Agent, 970-221-6246,