By Molly Thekan | Upper MIchigan Source
| Updated: Fri 2:13 PM, Jun 03, 2016
MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) Food trucks in the Marquette area have been gearing up for summer. With the new licensing and permit regulations that were put in place this year, food trucks have a little more freedom to where they can go and when.
Kyle Whitney, Deputy City Clerk for the city of Marquette says that with these two new regulations, food trucks are able to vend at more locations throughout town and at different hours of the day, especially night time.
The application process is lengthy because trucks have to have a fire and health inspection to confirm there is a public safety component to the business.
Ordinance 624’s intent is to provide mobile food vendors a framework under which such businesses operate, while still adding vibrancy and desirability to the city. There are seventeen sections to this ordinance that specifically explains what food trucks must do and keep up on for their business to run efficiently.
The first resolution is for establishing fees for mobile food vendors. There is a fee schedule for every truck depending on where they will be doing business.
$1,200-If vending on city and/or private property.
$600-If vending on private on private property only.
$500-If a city-based food service which is on the city’s tax rolls whose normal business includes the sale of food and/or beverages operating on city property.
$100-If operating a non-motorized mobile vending unit operation on city and/or private property.
No fee-If operating on non-city property, no feel shall be charged to a business which is on the city’s tax rolls whose normal business includes the sale of food and/or beverages.
The second resolution is for establishing operating locations for mobile food vendors.
Mobile food vending units may only operate within residentially zoned areas between the hours of 9AM-9PM and in commercially zoned areas between the hours of 7AM-2AM, unless otherwise stipulated below in accordance with Chapter 35, Ordinance #624 of the Marquette city code.
The following are a list of city-owned properties where vendors are authorized to operate:
1. Lakeshore Parking Lot
2. Rock Street Parking Lot
3. Baraga Avenue Parking Lot
4. Spring Street Parking Lots-between hours of 8PM-2AM only
5. South Main Street Parking Lot
6. All city parks during official park operating hours with the exception of Mattson Park
7. Mattson Park in conjunction with a special event permit only
8. Third St.-between the hours of 8PM-2AM
9. 100 Block West Main St.-South side of the street only
10. 100 Block West Bluff St.-South side of the street only
11. 100 Block West Baraga Avenue-North side of the street only
12. 600 Block West Bluff St.
13. 100 Block West Spring St.-Between the hours of 8PM-2AM only
14. 200 and 300 Blocks of West Spring St.
15. 200 and 300 Blocks of South Front St.-Between the hours of 8PM-2AM only
16. 100 through 600 Blocks of South Front St.-Between the hours of 8PM-2PM
Whitney also says that vendors are not to be withing 150ft. of brick or mortar establishments. There has not been any complaints regarding mobile vendors threatening restaurant’s business.
Any mobile food vendors are allowed to apply during anytime of the year, but since they follow the general business licensing regulations, the normal year is May 1-end of April, so although anyone can apply during the year, their license would still end in April and would have to re-apply.
The city of Marquette does have the right to change both resolutions at any point.
Please contact the city of Marquette clerk’s office for more information if interested in starting your own mobile food business.
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