Matters ▸ Attachment
Mobile Food Vendors proposed changes 8-361 through 8-372 — File 208322
City of Somerville Mobile Food Vendors
ARTICLE XV. - MOBILE FOOD VENDORS
Sec. 8-361. - Definitions.
[The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings
ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:]
Health Division of ISD means the Health Division of Inspectional Services Department
Inspectional Services Department
The City of Somerville means the City of Somerville Health Division of ISD, Economic
Development Department, Police Department, Traffic and Parking, City Clerk, and Fire
Department.
Mobile food vendor means any mobile operation that stores, prepares, packages, serves, sells,
or otherwise provides for human consumption any prepared or packaged food or beverages
from a truck or cart, including ice cream and non-ice cream food and beverage products.
Mobile food vendor license refers to the license to sell food issued under the authority of article
XV of the City of Somerville's Code of Ordinances, and refers collectively to both a) ice cream
truck vendor permits and b) food vendor licenses that are issued to businesses operating from a
truck or cart.
Mobile food vendor licensee means the holder of a mobile food vendor license.
(Ord. No. 2012-08, 10-25-2012)
Sec. 8-362. - Mobile food vendor license required.
No person or business entity, including a religious or charitable organization, shall operate as a
mobile food vendor in any public, private or restricted , space without obtaining a license from
the Heath Division of ISD. Said license shall be posted in a place that is visible to all customers.
This provision shall not apply to mobile food operations that receive a temporary event permit
from the board of health.
(Ord. No. 2012-08, 10-25-2012)
Sec. 8-363. - Application for a mobile food vendor license.
The applicant must complete an application form prescribed by the city clerk. The fee for such
permit shall be set in accordance with Chapter 40, Section 22F of the General laws. The
operator of the vehicle must provide a valid state hawker's license issued by the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts and any applicable local board of health license before a mobile food vendor
license will be issued by the City of Somerville. In the event a state hawker's license and/or an
applicable board of health license is revoked and/or does not otherwise remain in effect, the
mobile food vendor license shall automatically become void. If a state hawker's license and/or
applicable board of health license is revoked and/or does not otherwise remain in effect, the
licensee shall notify the city clerk that such license has been revoked and/or does not otherwise
remain in effect. Failure to notify the city clerk within ten days that such license has been
revoked shall constitute a violation of this article.
(Ord. No. 2012-08, 10-25-2012)
Sec. 8-3634. - Renewal.
Every mobile food vendor license may be renewed annually upon payment of a renewal fee,
provided that the mobile food licensee is in compliance with applicable requirements of this
article. The fee for such renewal permit shall be set in accordance with Chapter 40, Section 22F
of the General Laws. The renewal of a license does not guarantee renewal of previously
approved route or location
(Ord. No. 2012-08, 10-25-2012)
Sec. 8-365.- Criteria for issuance of license.
In considering a mobile food vendor's application for a mobile food license, the Health Division
of ISD, Economic Development Department, Police Department, Traffic and Parking, City Clerk,
and Fire Department shall consider the public good and general welfare and convenience of the
community, and shall take into account factors such as the sort of operation proposed (including
the proposed menu, days and hours of operation, and location), any impact on the community
with respect to such matters as noise, traffic, congestion, odors, sanitary and waste disposal
facilities, parking, dust and fumes, the impact of the character of the neighborhood and city, and
whether any articulable harm would follow from granting the license. Also, the City shall
consider whether a public benefit would flow from the proposed location and use, and
the competitive or other impact on existing restaurants.
(Ord. No. 2012-08, 10-25-2012)
Sec. 8-367. - Conditions of operation.
A. The issuance of a mobile food vendor license does not grant to, or entitle, the licensee
the exclusive use of any service route or location, in whole or in part, other than the time
and place specified in the license or permit for the term of the license or permit.
B. Mobile food vendors are encouraged to provide consumers with compostable single-
service articles, such as compostable forks, and paper plates, and a waste and recycling
container for their disposal. No styrofoam products are permitted. Mobile food vendors
are encouraged to use energy efficient resources. All mobile food vendors shall offer a
waste container for public use that operators shall empty at their own expense. All
adjacent streets, sidewalks and alleys within 100 feet shall be inspected regularly for
purposes of removing any litter found.
C. Unless otherwise provided, no mobile food vendor licensee may operate outside of the
hours indicated in their approved application.
D. The mobile food licensee shall comply with all applicable local rules, ordinances, and
regulations, including but not limited to the board of health regulations, traffic and
parking regulations, and noise ordinance.
E. Mobile food vendors are encouraged to offer at least 25 percent healthy choice meal
options as defined by the Somerville Health Department except that menus providing
only desserts/sweets or confectionary items are encouraged to offer at least one healthy
option at all times of operation. (Ord. No. 2012-08, 10-25-2012)
F. No materials of any kind may be placed on the public sidewalk, unless otherwise have
applied for the outdoor seating application and have been approved by the City Council
. This includes, but is not limited to, tables, chairs, or other seating, A-frame signs,
coolers, or promotional materials.
G. The licensee is not allowed to park within 50 feet of an entrance of a restaurant unless
operator has received written consent from the restaurant(s) owner(s).
H. At least one approved restroom facility for every 3 food handlers shall be provided within
200 feet of each food truck
Sec. 8-368. - Transfers.
A. Transfers for value prohibited. A license issued under this article shall be personal to the
applicant. No mobile food vendor licensee may transfer a mobile food vendor license,
nor shall they sell, lend, lease or in any manner transfer a license for value. A transfer by
merger, acquisition, or consolidation, or operation of law is prohibited.
B. Unauthorized transfers. Any unauthorized transfers or attempt to transfer a license shall
automatically void such permit. Whoever violates this provision shall be subject to a fine
pursuant to section 1.11. -
.
Sec. 8-369. - Enforcement.
A. Fine for violation. Any mobile food vendor licensed operating in violation of any provision
within this section or any other rules and regulations promulgated by the board may be
subject to a fine in accordance with subsection 1-11 of this article. Each day of violation
shall constitute a separate and distinct offense under General Laws c. 40, section 21D.
B. Revocation, suspension, modification. The City of Somerville, may modify a mobile
food vendor license, including an approved location, (i) at any time before the issuance
of a mobile food vendor license, (ii) if after the issuance of such license, for cause, after
reasonable notice to the licensee of the grounds for the proposed modification. Health
Division of ISD may suspend, revoke, or decline to renew a mobile food vendor license
for cause, after reasonable notice to the licensee of the grounds for the proposed action
and the time and place of the hearing regarding such proposed action.
C. Enforcement. The provisions of this section or any rules and regulations promulgated by
the City of Somerville may be enforced by the police department,inspectional services
and traffic and parking division. (Ord. No. 2012-08, 10-25-2012)
Sec. 8-370. - Additional conditions and restrictions.
The terms of every mobile food vendor license issued pursuant to this section shall be subject to
such further restrictions and conditions as the
shall impose.
(Ord. No. 2012-08, 10-25-2012)
Sec. 8-371.- Applicability of mobile food truck vendor provisions.
This article shall not apply to a food truck vendor who lawfully operated under a hawker and
peddler license at the time of the enactment of the mobile food vendor ordinance.
(Ord. No. 2013-06, 6-26-2013)
Sec. 8-372 .-Appeals
a. . The City of Somerville Enforcing Officer shall review violation appeals and
establish rules and regulations as appropriate.
b. The City Council shall review resident appeals and establish rules and
regulations as appropriate.