The following requirements apply to all mobile food units and vendors operating at any location within the City of Cookeville. Additional requirements may apply.
(1) Compliance with laws. Except as provided herein, mobile food unit placement and operation must adhere to federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies. Local laws, regulations, and policies include, but are not limited to the Cookeville Municipal Code and Cookeville Department of Leisure Services and Public Facilities Policy Manual on Mobile Food Units in Parks and on City Properties and as subsequently amended.
(2) Items for sale. Only food and beverage items may be sold from MFUs, and the sale or distribution of alcoholic beverages is prohibited. A vendor may sell or distribute merchandise from the MFU only if the merchandise bears the logo of the vendor or MFU; all other merchandise sales are prohibited.
(3) Letter of permission. Vendors operating on private property shall obtain a letter from the property owner stating that the vendor has permission to vend on the property. The vendor shall keep a copy of the permission letter on the MFU while operating. The vendor shall produce the letter upon the request of any city official acting in an enforcement capacity.
(4) Methods of support. MFUs shall be free-standing and shall not use stakes, rods, or any method of support that must be drilled, driven, or otherwise fixed, into or onto asphalt, pavement, curbs, sidewalks, or buildings.
(5) Operating distance. No MFU shall operate within five (5) feet of another MFU or ten (10) feet of any structure. The distance will be measured from the corner of the mobile food unit to the nearest corner of a structure or other mobile food unit.
(6) Operating hours. Operating a mobile food unit between the hours of12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. shall be prohibited.
(7) Signs and flashing lights. A MFU must adhere to all city ordinances in regards to signage.
(8) Sound amplification. A MFU or vendor shall not use sound amplification equipment for any purpose and shall comply with all city noise ordinances and regulations.
(9) Special events. During a special event, vendors must obtain written permission to operate within the boundaries of the special event from the special event sponsor, coordinator or operator and comply with all rules, regulations and requirements of the special event. A police officer or codes officer is authorized to inspect permission forms for special events.
(10) Spills. To prevent discharges into the storm drain system and natural waterways, each MFU shall comply with the storm water regulations of the City of Cookeville. In addition, each MFU shall have a spill response plan and kit onboard to contain and remedy any discharge from the MFU.
(11) Utilities. No power or water required for the mobile food unit shall be drawn from the public right-of-way or public property unless specifically authorized in writing by the City Manager or his or her designee.
(12) Electrical service from private property.
(a) MFUs operating on private property may use electrical power from the property being occupied or an adjacent property only when written permission has been given by an owner of the property providing electricity to the mobile food unit.
(b) The property owner shall provide written acknowledgement to the Codes Department that they accept all responsibility resulting from the use of an electric connection by the MFU.
(c) The electrical connection point to be utilized by an MFU shall be inspected and approved by the Codes Department, as provided for in this chapter.
(d) No power cord, cable, or equipment shall be extended on or across any public right-of-way, alley, sidewalk, or other public property.
(e) Electrical requirements. Any vendor operating under this chapter or property owner providing electrical service to a mobile food unit shall comply with the requirements of the National Electrical Code as adopted by the City of Cookeville for regulating electrical installations.
(f) Inspection of electrical service. In order to be used by MFUs, all new and existing electrical service components on private property require inspection and approval by the Codes Department.
(i) Permit for new electrical service. If an electrical component is newly installed on the private property, the installation shall be completed by a licensed electrician who possesses a City of Cookeville electrical license and must obtain all necessary permits prior to installation.
(ii) Safety inspection of existing electrical service. If a private property has an electrical service component for use by MFUs, the Codes Department shall conduct a safety inspection of the component. The cost of this safety inspection is in accordance with the City of Cookeville electrical fees. Once the initial electrical safety inspection is approved, annual safety inspections are not required.
(13) Waste storage and disposal. Vendors shall supply, in a prominent location, trash containers sufficient in size to collect all waste generated by customers and staff of the MFU. The vendor shall keep the area around the MFU clear of litter and debris at all times. All trash and debris generated by customers and staff shall be collected by the vendor and deposited in their trash or recycling container and removed from the site by the vendor. The vendor may not use city trash or recycling receptacles.
(14) Fire safety. Mobile food units must be equipped with an appropriate fire extinguisher as applicable to the mobile food unit’s operation.
(15) Sight distance/safety. Mobile food units must be positioned so as not to block or obstruct the view of motorist or pedestrian at any intersection or any point of ingress/egress. A police or codes officer is authorized to require the mobile food unit to move if in their reasonable judgement the mobile food unit is creating a safety issue for the public.
(as added by Ord. #O16-10-23, March 2017, as replaced by Ord. #O18-10-30, November, 2018)