(a) Purpose. The purpose of this Section is to establish standards for mobile food vending activities with the objective of protecting the public health, safety and welfare, while accommodating a variety of commercial uses within appropriate areas in the Village of Edgar which promote an active and social pedestrian, business and tourism environment. This Section also recognizes the importance of conventional restaurant establishments ("brick and mortar" businesses with physical fixed structures) in the Village given their investments, property taxes generated, and the ongoing vitality they bring to the community; such establishments are generally open to serve the needs of the public throughout the calendar year. An overall objective of this Section is to provide a positive business climate in the Village of Edgar which provides fair business opportunities for both conventional fixed location restaurants and mobile food vending operations offering the public a variety of food choices.
(b) Definitions. The following definitions and terms shall be applicable when used in this Section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
(1) Edible Goods.
Includes, but are not limited to:
a. On-site prepared food, including, but not limited to, sandwiches, wraps, tacos, burritos and shaved ice.
b. Prepackaged and mostly prepared food including, but not limited to, sausages, weiners, pizza, ice cream, and desserts.
(2) Ice Cream Truck.
A mobile food establishment which sells either frozen dessert, ice cream or frozen yogurt servings that are pre-packaged or enclosed in a wrapper or container having been wrapped, packaged or manufactured elsewhere or ice cream or similar frozen product that is not pre-packaged. An ice cream truck is considered to be a "mobile desserts establishment."
(3) Licensee.
A mobile food vendor that holds required permits and licenses necessary for operating a mobile food establishment from the Village of Edgar, the County, and the State of Wisconsin and its agencies.
(4) Mobile Desserts Establishment.
A mobile food establishment that serves individual portions of ice cream, ice milk, frozen custard, frozen yogurt, dessert mix, sundaes, and other frozen desserts which are either placed in a bowl or edible cone or are pre- packaged having been manufactured, prepared or wrapped in a licensed food preparation establishment. A mobile desserts establishment is a "mobile food establishment" under this Section.
(5) Mobile Food Establishment.
A restaurant or retail food establishment where food is served or sold from a movable vehicle, push cart, stand, trailer, boat or similar such unit which periodically changes, or is capable of changing, locations and requires a service base to accommodate the unit for servicing, cleaning, inspections and maintenance. It includes retail food service operations which are built to be mobile by design and constructed on wheels, a push cart or a motorized vehicle, vessel, truck, van, trailer, or boat to sell or serve food directly to the public. This definition includes movable concession stands and similar temporary stations not operating from a properly zoned and licensed fixed location restaurant and which are designed to operate as temporary or traveling food service establishments as those terms are used in ATCP 75, Wis. Adm. Code, "Appendix" ("Wisconsin Food Code") and Ch. 97, Wis. Stats. Not included in this definition/term are vehicles used solely to transport or deliver food, a common carrier regulated by the federal or state government, or an establishment under hire, contract or special request to provide food catering service to a private group, organization or business and is not serving directly to the general public on a retail basis, provided the establishment is in compliance with all state and county health and food code requirements.
(6) Mobile Food Vendor.
The licensed owner of a mobile food establishment, or the owner's employee or agent, or any business which sells edible goods from a mobile food establishment within the Village of Edgar.
(7) Sell.
The act of exchanging a good for profit or in return for a donation.
(8) Service Base.
An establishment operated under license or permit of an appropriate regulatory authority where food is manufactured, prepared, stored, portioned or packaged, or any combination of these processes, where such food is intended for consumption at another place, and where such units are serviced, cleaned, supplied, and/or maintained, and where the equipment, utensils, and facilities are serviced, cleaned and sanitized. The service base may also be the location where food for the mobile unit is prepared. All equipment at the service base must be in full compliance with the requirements of the Wisconsin Food Code [Ch. ATCP 75, Wis. Adm. Code - Appendix].
(9) Vehicle.
Any motor vehicle as defined in Sec. 340.01(35), Wis. Stats., or trailer as defined in Sec. 340.01(17), Wis. Stats. "Vehicle" shall also include any bicycle, boat, or other self-propelled device.
(10) Vend.
To sell or transfer the ownership of an article to another person for a price in money.
(c) Licensing Requirements.
(1) License Required; Fees.
a. Unless operating in conjunction with a Special Event Vending Permit per Section 7-4-9, no mobile food establishment or mobile food vendor shall sell or vend, or offer to sell or vend, food products, goods, wares, merchandise, produce or any other similar items whatsoever in the Village without first having obtained a license from the Village Administrator and, in addition, licenses and permits from appropriate county and state agencies and authorities.
b. Each mobile food establishment unit or stand shall be licensed individually and separately.
c. Permits shall be issued on an annual basis, effective from January 1 through December 31 of the same year.
d. The license fee to operate a mobile food establishment shall be as established in Section 1-3-1. If an applicant requests a license under this Section for an existing Village-based restaurant or other business which also sells food to additionally vend from a mobile food establishment location, such license fee shall be as prescribed in Section 1-3-1.
e. Required fees shall be paid at the time of license application.
f. Mobile food establishments exempt from the fee requirements of this Section are those operated by tax-exempt, non-profit organizations granted exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or other educational institutions, churches, religious organizations, educational or benevolent organizations, or youth organizations operating not for profit for local benefit for the area including, but not limited to the Village of Edgar, to raise funds for such purposes; or operated by the Village of Edgar.
(2) License Renewals.
Upon renewal of a mobile food establishment license, each applicant shall reapply and provide the Village Administrator with documentation of information which is new or changed from the original application, along with the renewal fee prescribed in Section 1-3-1. The applicant shall submit the application and renewal fee within thirty (30) calendar days after the expiration to be considered a renewal request.
(3) Transfer of License; Unit Specific License.
A license issued under this Section shall not be transferable from person to person; in such circumstances, a new application is required. A license is valid for one (1) vehicle, cart, trailer or other vending unit and shall not be transferable between vehicles.
(4) Alteration of License; Failure to Display License.
No person shall alter or change in any manner a license issued under this Section, and such alteration or the failure to display the license in a conspicuous location on the mobile unit or stand or to show the license upon the demand of any Village enforcement official or actual or prospective customer shall be cause for license suspension or revocation.
(d) License Application Requirements.
(1) Required Applicant Information.
Applications to operate a mobile food establishment unit shall be filed by the owner of the unit with the Village Administrator and shall include the following information:
a. Name, address, telephone number(s) and email address of the person, firm, association, or business that owns the unit.
b. Birth date, height, weight, and eye/hair color of the applicant.
c. The length of time for which the right to conduct business is requested.
d. The location(s) from which the applicant desires to operate the unit.
e. The make, model and license number of any mobile food establishment and transport vehicle to be used in the operation.
f. A copy of the applicant's valid food and beverage licenses/permits required and issued by the State of Wisconsin and the County, including, but not limited to, a Seller's Permit from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, and a Mobile Food Establishment License and Service Base License issued by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
g. A copy of any written permission to operate on private property, if applicable.
h. The address and ownership of the service base.
1. A copy of the vendor's proof of liability insurance as required herein.
j. A general description of the type of food products which will be offered to the public.
k. A general description explaining:
I. Any power needs of the unit, including sources.
2. Wastewater and solid waste storage of the unit and disposal of such wastes.
3. Food preparation, cooking and storage that will occur on the unit.
4. Potable water source.
5. Any transportation or use of liquid or compressed fuels with the unit.
I. An explanation of the zoning district(s) in which the mobile food establishment would be located.
m. If applicable, the three (3) locations where the applicant conducted business preceding the application, including a listing of any licenses or permits required and the governmental entity of issuance.
n. A statement as to whether the applicant has been arrested or convicted of any crime or ordinance violation, including the nature of the offense and the place of arrest and/or conviction.
o. If any persons other than the applicant will be operating the unit without the presence of the applicant, such persons shall also provide, as applicable, the information required in this Subsection.
(2) Identification.
At the time of filing of an application pursuant to this Section, the applicant shall present to the Village Administrator a driver's license or some other acceptable form of proof of identity with photograph.
(3) Insurance.
At the time of application, the applicant shall provide the Village Administrator with proof of liability insurance for each mobile food establishment. As evidence of liability insurance, the licensee shall provide a certificate of insurance, in a form acceptable to the Village, evidencing having in effect liability insurance and with a photocopy of the endorsement naming the Village and its officials, employees and agents as additionally named insured (a statement of such coverage on the certificate of insurance alone is not sufficient) in an aggregate amount of not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00). If such policy is cancelled, not renewed, or is materially changed, the licensee shall promptly notify the Village in writing.
(e) Issuance of License or Denial.
(1) Background Investigation.
Upon receipt of a complete application, the Village Administrator shall forward the application to the Police Department, other appropriate law enforcement agency and/or any other applicable municipal departments to review the application, conduct a background investigation, and make a recommendation regarding issuance of a license.
(2) Application Determination.
Following review of the application for compliance with the requirements of this Section and receipt of the law enforcement authority's recommendation, the Village Administrator shall issue the mobile food establishment license, deny the application, or issue the license with conditions.
(3) Application Denials.
An applicant for a mobile food establishment license may be denied when it is determined that:
a. The application contains a material omission or materially inaccurate statement.
b. The applicant is under eighteen (18) years of age.
c. The applicant has been convicted of any felony, misdemeanor, or ordinance offense which substantially relates to the licensed activity.
d. The circumstances of a pending criminal charge against the applicant substantially related to the licensed activity.
e. The applicant is found to have unpaid civil judgment(s) which relate to the responsibilities of the licensed activities. The relevance of such judgments shall be considered by the Village in light of the nature and the amount of the judgment and the relationship of the judgment to the purpose of the license.
f. The applicant has failed to comply with any regulatory requirement of this Section and that, in the Village's sole discretion, there is a public safety, health or general welfare reason that supports the denial of the license application.
g. Complaints of a material nature have been received against the applicant in other communities in which the applicant conducted similar business.
(4) Appeals.
If the Village Administrator denies an application for a mobile food establishment license, the applicant may file a written appeals request with the Village Administrator within fifteen (15) days after the Village has mailed a notice of denial to the applicant. If the applicant files a timely appeals request, the Village Admini- strator shall schedule an appeals hearing before the Village Board or designated committee thereof. Following such hearing, the Village Board, or designated committee thereof, may only approve the application on appeal if the applicant is qualified under this Section, and conditions may be placed on such appproval.
(5) License Suspension or Revocation.
The Village Board, after notice and hearing, may revoke or suspend any license issued under this Section, for no less than ten (10) and no more than ninety (90) days, for violation of any provision of this Section, any state law or local ordinance which would make continued vending contrary to the public health, safety or welfare, or for fraud or misrepresentation in sales or solicitation under this Section. Written notice of the hearing shall be provided to the licensee a minimum of seventy-two (72) hours prior to the hearing date. The notice shall state the time and location of the statement and include a statement of the facts which the proposed revocation or suspension is based.
(f) Conduct of Business Requirements. Mobile food establishments operating within the Village, and as a condition of license, shall comply with all of the following regulations:
(1) Compliance With Regulations.
A licensee shall comply with all applicable state, county and local food, safety and health regulations and permits applicable to the unit and the related sale, storage and preparation of food and beverages, including, but not limited to, the Wisconsin Food Code.
(2) Display of Licenses and Permits.
All state, county and local permits and licenses shall be conspicuously displayed on the mobile food establishment unit while in operation.
(3) Inspections.
Licensees of a mobile food establishment and their employees shall permit inspections by state, county and local health and sanitation authorities. Public health and sanitation authorities may conduct follow-up inspections upon finding violations of sanitation and health requirements to verify compliance.
(4) Service Base Requirements.
a. Every mobile food establishment shall have a designated service base meeting the requirements of the Wisconsin Food Code [Ch. ATCP 75, Wis. Adm. Code - Appendix] to store and prepare food and supplies.
b. A mobile food establishment shall return to its service base a minimum of once every twenty-four (24) hours for service, unit storage, equipment cleaning, discharging of solid or liquid wastes, refilling water tanks and ice bins, and storing of single-serve food items.
(5) Misrepresentation.
A licensee shall not fraudulently misrepresent the character, quality or quantity of any food article offered for sale or offer for sale any tainted or spoiled food, nor intentionally misrepresent to any prospective customer the purpose of his/her solicitation, the name of the business and its owner, the supply source of the food or goods for sale, or the disposition of the sale proceeds.
(6) Permitted Public Property Vending Locations; Authorized Zoning Districts.
a. The Village Board by resolution and accompanying map, adopted herein by reference, shall designate specific Mobile Food Establishment Vending Locations within the Village where vending from mobile food establishments is permitted, subject to compliance with the requirements of this Section. Vending is prohibited in other non-designated locations.
b. Mobile food establishments shall only operate in designated public right-of-way locations or municipal parking lots. Such locations are not reserved and may be used on a "first come/first used" basis. Mobile food establishments shall at all times comply with applicable traffic and parking regulations in such locations.
c. Mobile food establishments shall not operate in public parks, boat landings and recreational areas unless permitted under a Special Event Vending Permit [Section 7-4-9) or as authorized as part of a community, civic or promotional event specifically authorized by the Village Board (i.e., festival, special community event, food cart night, parade, etc.).
d. Unless otherwise excepted herein, no designated vending location shall be in an area zoned residential.
e. Venders shall only offer to the public food items from a mobile food establishment unit.
(7) Limits on Public Property Vending Locations; Required Setbacks; Vending Hours.
a. No mobile food establishment shall be located or conduct sales within two hundred (200) feet of a conventional restaurant unless the owner of such restaurant gives written permission to locate and operate at a closer distance. A copy of such written permission shall be provided to the Village.
b. A mobile food establishment unit owned and operated by a restaurant or other business may be permitted to be placed and operated on that business property located in the Village, provided all other applicable licensing, fees and regulatory provisions of this Section are complied with.
c. No mobile food establishment shall be operated within three hundred (300) feet of a school property.
d. No mobile food establishment shall be operated within two hundred (200) feet of a Village park, boat landing or recreation area during hours any authorized concessions are being sold from any building or pavillion therein.
e. No mobile food establishment shall be operated within five hundred (500) feet of any carnival, fair, festival, special event or civic event sanctioned by the Village or under a Special Event Vending Permit unless written permission is given by the sponsoring organization of such event. A copy of such written permission shall be provided to the Village.
f. No more than two (2) mobile food establishment units shall be located per block.
g. No mobile food establishment on public property shall operate more than six (6) hours per day at a stationary location.
h. Permitted vending hours from public property are 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
(8) Vending From Private Property Locations.
a. Provided written permission is given by a private property owner, mobile food establishments may operate from that owner's private property. A copy of such permission shall be provided to the Village.
b. Mobile food establishment vending from private property locations may only be conducted on non-residential properties zoned commercial or industrial.
c. No more than two (2) mobile food establishments may operate from a private property parcel at one time.
d. All applicable licensing, fees and regulatory provisions of this Section shall be complied with when there is vending from private property locations.
(9) Mobile Desserts Vending Locations.
Mobile desserts establishments (i.e., ice cream vending trucks) may vend curbside from public right-of-way locations in any zoning district, excluding Village parks, boat landings and recreation areas. Mobile desserts establishments shall comply with all other licensing, fees and regulatory provisions of this Section.
(10) Safety and Refuse Disposal Requirements.
a. Mobile food establishment units shall not obstruct any public street, terrace, trail access or visibility of street comers, driveways, cross walks, or intersections. No licensee shall locate a mobile food establishment within twenty (20) feet of the intersection of a sidewalk with any other sidewalk. Licensees shall take affirmative steps to direct customers waiting for service to refrain from causing any such obstructions.
b. No mobile food establishment shall be located within fifteen (15) feet of the extension of any building entrance or doorway to the curb line.
c. Mobile food establishments operating in an authorized public right-of-way shall serve and dispense food products from the curbside of the unit only at all times.
d. Mobile food establishments shall not create any dining area within a public right- of-way, including, but not limited to, stools, chairs, tables, benches or stand-up counters.
e. No food service shall be prepared, sold or displayed outside of the mobile food establishment.
f. Mobile food establishments authorized to conduct business on a terrace or sidewalk area shall maintain within twenty-five (25) feet of its sales location a clean, sanitary, and hazard-free area, and shall not discharge or dispose of any material onto the street, terrace, sidewalk, ditch, gutters or storm drain. Such area shall be kept clean and free from refuse and litter at all times.
g. Operators of mobile food establishments shall provide a minimum of one (1) leak-proof container for deposit of waste.
h. Mobile food establishment licensees shall remove or otherwise properly dispose of all garbage, waste and litter generated by their operations and customers on a daily basis, including that waste and litter which may be reasonably viewed from the operation area of the unit on the ground or otherwise not properly disposed of.
(11) Utilities.
Mobile food establishments shall not connect to any public source of water, sewer disposal or electricity facilities unless specifically authorized by the Village prior to such use.
(12) Signage; Improper Use of Public Property.
a. Mobile food establishments shall not use any public property, such as, but not limited to, traffic signs, utility poles, municipal flower beds, or other amenities to attach, affix or place any signs, posters, electrical cords, ropes or other things used in its operations.
b. Signage may only be permitted when placed on the mobile food establishment unit. No separate free-standing signs are permitted.
c. All mobile food establishment units shall display signage which indicates the name of the operator and a valid telephone number. Such signage lettering shall be a minimum of three (3) inches in height and be in plain view to all patrons.
(13) Permitted Operators.
An on-street mobile food establishment shall only be operated by the person who has obtained a license under this Section or by an employee of the person who obtained a license under this Section.
(14) Vehicle Standards.
a. All mobile food establishments shall be in compliance with all applicable federal, state, county or municipal regulations regarding vehicle size. Any vehicle, trailer or other on-street units used for vending food shall be designed and manufactured specifically for the purpose of food vending.
b. All mobile food establishments shall be self-contained in regard to water, gas, electricity and equipment necessary for unit operation.
c. Mobile food establishment vehicles and trailers shall have valid registration and license plates as required by Chapter 341, Wis. Stats.
d. No flashing, blinking, chaser, or strobe lights are permitted on any mobile food establishment unit.
e. Amplified sound or music from a mobile food establishment unit is prohibited.
(15) Farmers Markets; Auctions.
Vendors selling produce and similar food products (i.e., honey, cheese, jams, cider, etc.) at a Village-sponsored farmers market are exempt from the provisions of this Section, as are food trucks serving attendees at a bona fide auction or estate sale.
(g) Penalties. A licensee who violates any provision of this Section, or any condition of license, regulation or order made hereunder, shall be subject to the penalties found in Section 1-1-6, and be subject to possible license suspension or revocation.
State Law Reference:
Ch. 97, Wis. Stats.; Ch. ATCP 75, Wis. Adm. Code