(A) Permit required.
(1) In addition to the mobile food vendor registration required under this subchapter, no person shall operate a mobile food vehicle within the city without a permit. In regard to mobile food vehicles, the sponsoring business for the location at which the mobile food vendor intends to operate its mobile food vehicle must first obtain a permit from the Building Official or designee.
(2) In addition to the pushcart vendor registration required under this subchapter, no person shall operate a pushcart within the city without a permit.
(B) Required information, mobile food vehicles. The Building Official, City Clerk, or designee shall provide a form for application for a mobile food vehicle permit as required under this subchapter. The permit application shall require the following:
(1) The name, address and phone number of the owner of the sponsoring business;
(2) The name, address and phone number of the mobile food vendor;
(3) Written permission signed by the property owner for where the mobile food vehicle will be located specifying the date and hours of operation of the mobile food vehicle, with any restrictions imposed by the property owner clearly identified; and
(4) A site plan clearly depicting the following:
(a) Property boundaries of the parcel on which the mobile food vehicle will be operating;
(b) Footprint and dimensions of all existing and proposed buildings and structures on the property;
(c) All curb cuts, drive aisles and parking spaces on the property;
(d) The proposed location of the mobile food vehicle, including the number of parking spaces that would be occupied by the mobile food vehicle and related activities; and
(e) A description of all proposed lighting, signage, trash receptacles, other equipment and other activities associated with the mobile food vehicle.
(C) Required information, pushcart vendors. The Building Official, City Clerk or designee shall provide a form for application for a pushcart permit as required under this subchapter.
(D) Fee; duration. The required fee for each mobile food vehicle permit issued under this subchapter shall be $25. The permit shall be valid only for the date and times listed on the permit. The required fee for a pushcart permit is $100. The fee shall be collected upon application. The effective term of the permit shall commence on January 1 and expire at midnight on December 31 of each year. The renewal of each existing permit under this subchapter shall be $50.
(E) Multiple dates under a single permit, mobile food vehicles. A sponsoring business may submit one permit for the same mobile food vehicle to operate at the same location for more than one date. The permit application shall list every date and the hours of operation of the mobile food vehicle on each date. The requirements of § 115.211 of this chapter and this § 115.212 must be complied with for each individual date the mobile food vehicle operates at the location.
(F) Approval standards. No mobile food vehicle permit or pushcart permit shall be issued unless the applicant demonstrates compliance with all of the following.
(1) The mobile food vehicle or pushcart shall not be located on a property that is less than 250 feet from a property containing a restaurant unless written consent by the proprietor of such restaurant is provided with the mobile food vehicle permit application.
(2) The mobile food vehicle shall not be parked within 100 feet of a residential district or a property recommended for residential use in the city’s Comprehensive Plan unless the mobile food vehicle is operating on private property in such residential district for a private event and is not offering items for sale to the general public not associated with and/or participating in the event.
(3) The mobile food vehicle shall be parked on an improved surface.
(4) The mobile food vehicle shall not be located within any required setback of the underlying zoning district.
(5) The mobile food vehicle or pushcart shall not be located within a handicap accessible parking space or any parking space required for the permanent/primary use(s) on the property.
(6) The mobile food vehicle or pushcart shall not be located or operated in such a manner that it interferes with vehicle or pedestrian visibility, traffic flow, emergency vehicle access or pedestrian circulation.
(7) The mobile food vehicle or pushcart shall be located a minimum of 15 feet from all fire hydrants and Fire Department connections.
(8) A permanent divide must exist between the front driving area and the back cook/prep area of the mobile food vehicle, and a grease trap must be installed under a three-compartment sink.
(9) The mobile food vehicle or pushcart must pass an initial health inspection by the City Health Inspector, meeting all Health Code requirements. The mobile food vehicle or pushcart must maintain sanitary conditions, including frequent hand washing and proper food temperature controls, and pass every subsequent health inspection.
(10) The mobile food vehicle or pushcart must pass an initial fire inspection by the City Fire Inspector, meeting all Fire Code and Fire Department requirements. The mobile food vehicle or pushcart must maintain fire safety protocols, including installation of an appropriate fire suppression system and carrying a combustible gas detector, and pass every subsequent fire inspection.
(G) Permit displayed. A copy of the approved mobile food vehicle or pushcart permit shall be clearly displayed on the mobile food vehicle or pushcart at all times while operating in the city.
(H) Exceptions. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, any mobile food vehicle operating at a city event shall be exempt from the requirement to obtain a mobile food vehicle permit provided the sponsoring entity or organization provides the city with a list of valid Cook County Health Department permits, State of Illinois sales tax registrations and certificates of insurance, with copies thereof, for all mobile food vehicles participating in the event.
(Ord. 2022-030, passed 4-26-2022) Penalty, see § 115.999