§ 21.302.18 MOBILE FOOD UNITS.
   (a)   Purpose. The following standards are intended to address mobile food units in the interest of the public health, safety, and general welfare of the community.
   (b)   License required. Mobile food units must be properly licensed per § 14.446.
   (c)   Exemptions. Locations that operate mobile food units defined in M.S. § 157.15 subd. 9, clause 2 as an extension of their retail food license under M.S. § 28A.06, as they may be amended from time to time, are exempt from all requirements in this § 21.302.18.
   (d)   Standards. The following standards apply to mobile food units unless otherwise approved through one of the following special events: farmers' market permit per § 14.600, arts and crafts festival permit per § 14.700, permit for public assembly, parade, race, or private special event per § 14.61, or city sponsored event.
      (1)   Locations zoned and used non-residentially. The following standards apply to commercial, industrial, and mixed-use zoning districts, and to all other properties that are not zoned and used residentially.
         (A)   No mobile food unit may park or operate in the public right-of-way unless approved by the Issuing Authority.
         (B)   No more than three mobile food units may operate at one time on a site unless affiliated with an approved special event.
         (C)   Mobile food units may be parked within required parking areas, but must be parked on asphalt, concrete, or other surface approved by the Issuing Authority.
         (D)   Mobile food units, including service areas and accessory outdoor seating, may not block sidewalks, impede pedestrian or vehicular circulation, or interfere with public safety.
         (E)   Mobile food units must be located at least ten feet away from building entrances and other mobile food units.
         (F)   No mobile food unit may locate within 200 feet of an exterior entrance to a restaurant or building occupied by a restaurant unless approved in writing by the owner or operator of the subject restaurant.
         (G)   No mobile food unit may be located within a parking structure.
      (2)   Locations zoned and used residentially. The following standards apply to properties that are zoned and used residentially. For the purposes of this section, properties in mixed use zoning districts are not considered to be zoned residentially.
         (A)   Mobile food unit service is limited to private guests of the property owner, unless otherwise approved through a special event license to sell to the general public.
         (B)   Mobile food units may park on the street nearest the private property they serve provided on-street parking is not otherwise prohibited at that location, or within a site on a driveway. If located within the public right of way, serving must be oriented away from the street.
         (C)   Mobile food units, including service areas and accessory outdoor seating, may not block sidewalks, impede pedestrian or vehicular circulation, or interfere with public safety.
         (D)   No more than one mobile food unit may operate at one time on a site.
         (E)   A site may not host a mobile food unit more than three days per year.
         (F)   Mobile food units may not operate between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m.
      (3)   Storage. No mobile food unit may be stored overnight or maintained on a residentially zoned property, including public right-of-ways abutting properties zoned residential.
      (4)   Operation.
         (A)   Mobile food units may not operate between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. unless otherwise approved by the City Council.
            a.   If located within 250 feet of locations zoned and used residentially, mobile food units may not operate between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. unless an arterial or collector street, or a non-residential building is located between the residential use and the mobile food unit.
            b.   Hours of operation may be extended for taproom, cocktail room, and winery uses as approved by the Planning Commission or City Council.
         (B)   Mobile food units must depart from the site when not in operation, unless operating at the same site as their affiliated licensed commercial kitchen or commissary.
         (C)   The owner or operator of the mobile food unit must provide trash and recycling receptacles for customer use and keep the site free from litter, refuse, debris, junk or other waste.
         (D)   No mobile food unit waste liquids, garbage, litter or refuse may be dumped or drained into sidewalks, streets, gutters, drains, public trash receptacles, or any other place except at the licensed commercial kitchen or commissary associated with the mobile food unit.
         (E)   All mobile food unit signs must be affixed to the vehicle or trailer and in compliance with Chapter 21, Article III, Division D, the sign code.
         (F)   No sound amplification, noisemakers, or flashing lights are permitted.
(Ord. 2022-12, passed 4-25-2022; Ord. 2023-17, passed 6-5-2023; Ord. 2024-4, passed 2-26-2024)