In regards to creating policies governing the operation of food trucks and carts within the City, City Council will host a workshop on food truck ordinances on Wednesday, July 17th at 5:30 pm in the Council Chambers at Newport City Hall. This workshop is open to the public.
Update July 17 – VIDEO: City Council Workshop on Food Truck Ordinances
The need for changes to the City’s ordinances come after the General Assembly passed new legislation regarding food trucks.
The State Mobile Food Establishment Registration Act (2018-S 2502B, 2018-H 7790A), which was first introduced by Sen. Dawn Euer and House Speaker Pro Tempore Brian Patrick Kennedy in 2018 on behalf of the Department of Administration, standarizes the business registration process for trucks or carts that sell food, ice cream or lemonade by creating a state mobile food establishment registration, and would explicitly exempt such establishments from laws regulating hawkers and peddlers.
Previously, food truck and cart operators had to navigate different regulatory structures in each municipality in which they operate.
The bill maintained the ability of municipalities to regulate location and hours of operation, which City Council is hoping to do with this workshop and these new ordinances.
Newport City Council voted to approve the following resolutions on first reading last week at their Regular Council Meeting. Members of Newport City Council do expect changes to be made to these ordinances based on conversation and feedback at the workshop.
The second reading and final vote on these ordinances is currently scheduled to take place at Newport City Council’s next meeting on Wednesday, July 24th.
| 8. | Amending Chapter 2.120 of the Codified Ordinances, entitled, “General Fee Schedule” (First Reading) |
| 9. | Amending Section 5.56.010 of the Codified Ordinances, entitled, “License required.” (First Reading) |
| 10. | Amending Section 5.56.020 of the Codified Ordinances, entitled, “License application and issuance – Approval of health department required for certain licenses – Application fee.” (First Reading) |
| 11. | Amending Section 5.56.070 of the Codified Ordinances, entitled, “Inspection of vehicles and food peddlers – Sale of beverages” to delete the section in its entirety (First Reading) |
| 12. | Amending Chapter 5.56.080 of the Codified Ordinances, entitled, “Sales prohibited on certain streets.” (First Reading) |
| 13. | Amending Section 5.56.100 of the Codified Ordinances, entitled, “Sales prohibited on near establishments selling similar goods.” (First Reading) |
| 14. | Amending Section 5.56.120 of the Codified Ordinances, entitled, “Categories of peddlers – Maximum number of licenses.” (First Reading) |
| 15. | Amending Title Five of the Codified Ordinances entitled, Business Licenses & Regulations to add a new Chapter 5.57 entitled, “Mobile Food Establishments” (First Reading) |