CITY OF ORLANDO
Friday,December19,2008
RE:
Zoning Official's Interpretation Concerning Tent Sales and Open Air Markets
(LDC2008-00275)
Colleagues:
It has come to my attention there is some confusion as to the zoning regulations
concerning temporary tent sales and open air markets. These questions come up from
time-to-time concerning the zoning approval of typical temporary auto sales, Christmas
tree sales, fireworks sales, and lawn and garden sales, etc. in existing strip centers. The
issue is also brought up when we are asked to approve road-side food vending carts
(e.g. hotdog carts). To clarify the code I offer the following:
Open Air Markets - The Land Development Code defines an Open Air Market as:
Open Air Market: Any retailing use held in an open area or structure, whether
periodically, occasionally or continuously, where one or more individual sellers
offer goods or agricultural products for sale to the public. This term includes flea
markets and fruit and vegetable stands, but does not include roadside
agricultural stands.
The Code further includes Open Air Markets as an Intensive Retail in the following
definition:
Retailing, Intensive: Any of the following types of retailing uses:
• Open air markets.
• Utility trailer rental.
• Vehicle sales and rental.
• Any similar retailing use.
This means that open air markets are limited to only the following zones that allow
Intensive Retailing:
• MU-1, and MU-11T
• MU-2, and MU-21T
• AC-3, and AC-31T (Except in the l-Drive Special Plan)
• IC, and ICIT
• IG, and IGIT
and conditional uses in:
• AC-1, and AC-11T
• AC-2 and AC-21T
• AC-3AIT
CITY OF ORLANDO· CITY PLANNING DIVISION
400 SOUTH ORANGE AVENUE - 6TH FLOOR • PO Box 4990 • ORLANDO, FLORIDA 32802-4990
PHONE 407-246-2269 • FAX 407-246-2895 • http://www.cityoforlando.net
For properties zoned PO please contact the Zoning Official.
Temporary Uses - If these types of operations are temporary in nature, then the
requirements for a temporary use must come into play. The Code defines a "Temporary
Use" as:
Temporary Use or Activity: A use permitted for a fixed period of time not over six
months in duration, with the intent to discontinue such use at the expiration of the time
period.
The Code also regulates temporary uses with the following:
4N. TEMPORARY USE
Sec. 58.830. General Requirements.
In addition to any applicable Zoning District and Use Regulations of Figures 1--2, all
Temporary Uses allowed under this Chapter, whether as a principal use or an accessory
use, shall conform to the following standards.
(Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25094)
Sec. 58.831. Use Restrictions.
The temporary use must be a use which would ordinarily be allowed as a permanent
use or which because of its limited duration or because adjacent land is
undeveloped or developing, would not have a detrimental impact on surrounding
land uses. A temporary use shall conform to all standards and procedures of this
Chapter which would ordinarily apply to the use in the zoning district in which it is
located.
Duration. The temporary use shall be permitted for the shortest practicable time period.
No temporary use shall be permitted for more than six months in any 12-month period,
unless otherwise authorized by City Council.
Termination. At the end of the period for which the temporary use was permitted, the
use shall be discontinued and all temporary structures involved shall be removed and all
permanent structures involved shall not be used except as permitted in the district.
Failure to comply with this requirement shall be a violation of this Chapter, subject to the
enforcement procedures of Chapter 5.
Under the Temporary Use heading are our regulations of "tents." The code regulates
tents with the following:
Sec. 58.833. Tents.
No tent shall be erected unless and until the applicant shall obtain zoning approval as
provided in this Section.
Application and Submittal Requirements. In order to obtain zoning approval for the use
of a tent, the applicant shall file with the Zoning Official or his designee, in writing, the
following information:
(a) A completed tent assembly permit as required by Chapter 18 of the Code of
the City of Orlando;
(b) Length of time the tent is proposed for use on the site;
(c) Written consent of the property owner to erect the tent;
(d) Unless otherwise waived by the Zoning Official, a fully dimensioned site plan
showing the location of the proposed tent, all required on-site parking, and all
improvements on the site.
Time Limits on Permits. In no event shall tents be permitted longer than seven
consecutive days or a maximum of seven days in any six (6) month period unless
otherwise waived by the Zoning Official.
The seven (7) day period shall be extended at the request of the applicant up to a
maximum of thirty days for sale of merchandise associated with Christmas,
Independence Day, or sporting events.
Location of Tent. A tent shall comply with the principal building setbacks for the
district in which it is located and with other locational requirements of this Section.
Outdoor Display of Merchandise. No outdoor display of merchandise shall be
permitted in connection with a tent except as permitted by this section, and any outdoor
display of merchandise so permitted shall not be situated so as to block access to any
required parking space.
Public Benefit Use. The Planning Official shall be authorized to allow tents as a
temporary use on a Public Benefit Use site where he finds that the use of the tent does
not substantially impact surrounding properties according to the following standards:
(a) Compatibility of times of activity;
(b) Compatibility of uses;
(c) Environmental effects on adjacent property; such as noise, vibration, air
pollution, glare, and odor;
(d) Effect of outdoor lighting;
(e) Impact of signage;
(f) Impact of traffic.
The Planning Official may prescribe appropriate conditions and safeguards including, but
not limited to, the following: restrict the time an activity may take place; establish special
yard requirements; establish restraints to minimize such environment effects as noise,
vibration, air pollution, glare, and odor; designate the number and location of vehicle
access points; limit the location and intensity of outdoor lighting or require its shielding;
and, limit or otherwise designate the number, size, location, height, or lighting of signs.
The determination of the Planning Official may be appealed to the Municipal Planning
Board in accordance with Chapter 65, Part 2G.
Parking. No additional parking shall be required for a tent as a temporary accessory use
on a commercial building site, however, the tent shall not be erected so as to block
access to any required parking space.
Determination ­
Allowable Use - The first question is if the request is for an "open air market" and thus,
limited to zones that allow Intensive Retail uses? If the request is not an open air
market, then what use shall we consider it to be?
From the above, I have made the following determination concerning which use
category they belong in:
Type of Use
Lawn and Garden
Sales
Fireworks, Christmas
Trees, and Sporting
Events
Outdoor Food
Vendors to include
bar-B-Q stands,
Hotdog Stands, sale
of roasted peanuts,
etc. for immediate
consumption
Temporary Non-Profit
festivals or farmers
Markets
Temporary Sale of
Consumer Goods
Is this considered
an "Open Air
Market" thus an
Intensive Retail
Use"?
If not an "Open Air
Market" what is it?
"No" if in conjunction
with a permanent
use that sells Lawn
and garden supplies
- "Yes" if not.
Light Retail if in
conjunction with a
permanent use that
sells Lawn and
garden supplies.
"No"
Light Retail (also see
Section 58.833)
Required to
meet all of the
"Temporary
Use"
requirements
(below)
Yes (outdoor
storage is OK)
Yes(also see
Section 58.833)
See below
"See Below"
Yes
"No"
"Yes"
Light Retail
Yes
Type of Use
(rugs, flowers, stuffed
animals, art, etc.)
For Profit Farmers
Markets
Roadside Produce
stands
Temporary Vehicular
Sales
Is this considered
an "Open Air
Market" thus an
Intensive Retail
Use"?
If not an "Open Air
Market" what is it?
Yes
"Yes"
"No"
Light Retail
See Sec 58. 5B(6).
"On-Site" Non-Profit
Semi-Annual Events
to include the sale of
food (Church Bazaar)
"No"
Any Zone used by
the Non-Profit.
(unless amusement
rides are included)
"Off-Site" Non-Profit
Semi-Annual Events
to include the sale of
food (Church Bazaar)
"Yes"
Any of the above
requested to be
longer than 7-days in
duration or more than
one time for each 6­
months
Sales within the Right
of Way
Yes
Yes
"Yes"
"No"
Garage Sales
Required to
meet all of the
"Temporary
Use"
requirements
(below)
No
Yes (Expected
large crowds
. may need a
Chapter 18A
Permit)
Yes (Expected
large crowds
may need a
Chapter 18A
Permit)
See Zoning
Official
Needs Zoning Official
Sign-off
See Section 54.27-1
Specific Requirements - Once we have determined if the use is a permitted use, we
must then determine if our Code provides and specific requirements. If the use is
determined to be a "Temporary Use" then the following must be observed:
1. Treat all Temporary Uses as if a "Tent Sale" • The tent section (Section 58.833) is
located under the Temporary Use section of our code and regulates all temporary
outdoor sales regardless as to whether or not a tent is used in the operation of the
temporary business. Except for food vendors, all temporary uses must comply with
this section. This requires the tents to comply with principal structure setbacks, limits
the amount of outdoor display, and limits the duration of the event to 7 days unless
approved otherwise by the Zoning Official. This section does allow for longer
"seasonal" events like Christmas tree sales.
2. Vacant (undeveloped) Sites - A temporary use (7 days or less) may be conducted
on undeveloped sites providing our Permitting Division ensure the vehicular ingress
and egress is considered safe and efficient.
3. Developed Sites - Temporary Sales may not overwhelm the existing parking of a
developed site. As a rule of thumb, if the temporary sale is occupying more than
10% of the existing parking, the 20 shall sign off on the permits or BTR.
4. Outdoor Display - Except for auto, RV, and boat sales, no display of merchandise
unless under the tent.
5. Traffic Circulation - Please contact the Permitting Division if you believe the
specific location of the outdoor sales will interfere with normal traffic circulation or
create a safety hazard.
6. Other Regulations - All other typical zoning requirements (such as setbacks for the
tent, Business License Receipts, etc.) shall be met.
Food Vendors - Food vendors are broken into the following four categories:
a) Peddlers - These are the construction site vendors and ice cream trucks that travel
from site to site and do not stay in one place for more than 30 minutes. These
peddlers only need a Business Tax Receipt.
b) Temporary Food Vendors - All temporary Food Vendors on private property that
will be only on site for 7 days or less in one 6-month period must comply with all of
the Specific Requirements identified above (setbacks, taking up parking or
landscaping space, etc.). Temporary Food Vending shall be considered "Light
Retailing" for zoning purposes. All improvements must be removed within 7 days.
c) Long Term Food Vendors I Removable Carts - All food vendors that desire to
locate on a site for more than 7 days in a 6-month time period but will remove the
food cart and any associated equipment at the end of each day must comply with
the above and be located in a zone that allows for "Intensive Retailing" and must
provide a site plan showing:
• That the location of the Vendor's cart complies with the principal structure
setbacks of the zoning district and is not within a required parking space or
landscaping or buffer area,
• Adequate parking is available for both the principal use as well as employees
and patrons of the food vendor, and
• Proper pedestrian and vehicular circulation is provided.
d) Long Term Food Vendors I Permanent Carts- In addition to the above
requirements, Long Term Food Vendors (more than 7-day during a 6-month time
period) who desire to maintain their carts, stands, or other associated equipment on
the site over night must be zoned on a parcel that allows for "Intensive Retailing"
and must provide a site plan showing:
•
Adequate sanitary facilities are available for both the patrons of the food vendor
as well as the employees, and
•
Provides proper landscaping and buffering that has a reasonable chance to be
survive.
•
Pay all appropriate Impact Fees.
e) Miscellaneous Food Vending Requirements
•
The Zoning Official must approve the site plan for all permanent food vending.
•
To prevent traffic circulation issues, only one Food Vendor may be allowed on a
parcel unless
. . approved by the Zoning Official.
.
•
Permanent food vendors in Special Plan Areas or the Traditional City must
receive an Appearance Review.
Citrus Bowl, Fairground, Centroplex Special Events - Outdoor vending shall be
allowed in these areas during special events with the permission of the Manager of the
venue.
Sign~~Lr-~~-----------------------Mark Cechman, AICP, Zoning Official
Dean Grandin, Jr., AICP, Planning Official
..
CrrY oF ORLANDo
April 23, 2008
RE:
Zoning Official Interpretation
Auto Sales as a Temporary Use- LDC2008-00113
Colleagues:
Occasionally, the City is petitioned for permission to operate temporary outdoor auto sales. These sales
typically occur on vacant lots or on parking lots accessory to an established commercial use. With regard to
temporary uses, applicable City codes state:
)
•
Sec. 58.831. Use Restrictions.
The temporary use must be a use which would ordinarily be allowed as a permanent use or which
because of its limited duration or because adjacent land is undeveloped or developing, would not
have a detrimental impact on surrounding land uses. A temporary use shall conform to all standards
and procedures of this Chapter which would ordinarily apply to the use in the zoning district in which
it is located.
•
Sec. 58.833. Tents.
. .. Time Limits on Permits. In no event shall tents be permitted longer than seven consecutive days
or a maximum of seven days in any six (6) month period unless otherwise waived by the Zoning
Official...
. . . Outdoor Display of Merchandise. No outdoor display of merchandise shall be permitted in
connection with a tent except as permitted by this section, and any outdoor display of merchandise
so permitted shall not be situated so as to block access to any required parking space ...
Outdoor auto sales are considered an Intensive Retail use. As such, whether temporary or permanent, they
may have a detrimental impact on surrounding land uses and the underlined section of 58.831 above shall
control.
)
CITY PLANNING DIVISION •
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
CITY OF ORLANDO • 400 SOUTH ORANGE AVENUE • PO BOX 4990 • ORLANDO, FLORIDA 32802-4990
PHONE 407-246-2269 • FAX 407-246-2895 • http://www.cityoforlando.net
. . ....
CITY OF ORLANDO
(.
-~)
InterpretationFrom the above, auto sales· may be conducted outdoors as a temporary use, provided:
• Intensive Retail is a permitted use in the zoning district in which the sale is to occur
• The applicant submits a site plan showing the proposed auto sales location, existing parking, and
parking calculations indicating the number of spaces required for the existing use and any excess
number of spaces.
• The use complies with all other applicable requirements of Chapter 58, Part 4N, including limits on
duration.
Signed:
Mark Cechman, AICP, Zoning Official
Concurred:
Dean Grandin, AICP, Planning Director
)
)
CITY PLANNING DIVISION • ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
CITY OF ORLANDO • 400 SOUTH ORANGE AVENUE ~ PO BOX 4990 • ORLANDO, FLORIDA 32802-4990
PHONE 407-246-2269 • FAX 407-246-2895 • http://www.cityoforlando.net
MET-AC
D
Print date: 7/16/2008 ' 8 : 55 :03AM
Live Search Maps
Page 1 of 1
For the best possible print results, click the printer icon on the Live Search Maps page.
Location result for
.6600 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819-8220
)
'
)
http://maps.live.com/
7116/2008
"The Orlando Hot Dog
Company"
<orlandohotdogs @gmail.com
>
07/12/2008 01 :32 PM
To [email protected]
cc
bee
Subject hot dog carts on i-drive
Hi Mark,
Thanks for the call. Simply put, where, how, and under what conditions can we deploy a fully
licensed, inspected, insured hot dog carts on i-drive, that is also prepared to name the city of
orlando as an additional on our policy?
The Orlando Hot Dog Company,
a division of The Advisory Group, Inc.
"We put more meat between the buns"
)
Address:
The AG Building
Suite 3
1308 North Pine Hills Road
Orlando, Florida
32808-4832
Telephone: 407.459.4821
Fax: 407.915.4252
email: [email protected]
On The Web: www.orlandohotdogs.net
,~:--::';;;
//
/
\,
James A
Burnett/PND/EDV/Orlando
07/15/2008 01:15PM
To Mark A Cechman/PND/EDV/Orlando@Orlando
cc
bee
Subject Re: Fw: hot dog carts on i-drive~
I combed the I- Drive special plan and did not see anything that denied the ability to have mobile hot dog
vending carts as an accessory use. Most of the focus in the 1-Drive area is on ticket booths.
Jim Burnett, AICP- Planner Ill
Economic Development Department Planning Division
Land Development Studio
City of Orlando
400 S. OrangeAvenue, 6th Floor
POBox4990
Orlando, FL 32802-4990
407.246.3609, FAX 407.246.2895
[email protected]
Working with the Community to Create Orlandds Tomorrow.... Today ... Through·the Economic Development Department Business
Development, City Planning, Real Estate, Permitting Services, Code Enforcement, Downtown Development Board and the
·
Community Redevelopment Agency. Check out our website!! http://www.cityoforlando.neUeconomic
Florida has a very broad public records law. As a result, any written communication created or received by City of Orlando officials
and employees will be made available to the public and mediCI upon request, unless otherwise exempt Under Florida law, email
addresses are public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public records request do not send
electronic mail to this office. Instead, contact our office by phone or in writing.
)
Mark A Cechman/PND/EDV/Orlando
Mark A
Cechman /PND/EDV/Orlando
07/15/2008 12:00 PM
To Karl M Wielecki/PND/EDV/Orlando@Orlando, James A
Burnett/PND/EDV/Orlando@Orlando, Mike
Rhodes/ENF/EDV/Orlando@Orlando
cc
Subject Fw: hot dog carts on i-drive
Karl/ Jim -Would this comply with the I Drive Special Plan???
Mike- Would there be any reason why we would not let hirn do this on private property??
Mark Cechman, AJCf- Chief Planner/ Zoning Official / LE.ED Af
E_conomiC:: Development Department F!anning Division
Land Development Studio
Cit!) of Orlando
+OO S.
•
Orange Avenue, 6 Floor
f0l)ox+990
Orlando, FL 72802-4-990
+oJ.2+6.20J8, FAX +oJ.2+6.2895
[email protected]
The City has developed a very comprehensive and easy to use web site that can provide a wealth of information concerning zoning issues
to indude:
Zoning and future [ and Use Maps
Zoning Reference Guide
Or the entire Code of Ordinances.
Working with the Communit.!J to Create Orlando's TomOJrow. ... Toda3 .... Through the Economic Development Department: /3usiness
Development_ Cit.!J F/anning, /?calEstate, jcnnitting 5ervices, Code Enforcement, Downtown Devclof'ment /3oard and the
Community /?cdevclopment Agcnc!}. Check out our website!! www.citqoforlando.net/economic Florida has a very broadpublic records
law. As a result, an3 written communication createdor received b3 Cit.!J ofOrlando officials and empfo3ees wi/1 be made available to the
pu.b/ic and media, upon re9uest, unless otherwise exempt. {jndcr F/otida law, email addresses are pub/ic records. /f3ou do not want3our
e:mail address released in response to a pu.bkc re:cords rc9uest, do not se:nd electronic mad to this omce. /nstead_ contact our office b3
phone or in writing.
)
-----Forwarded by Mark A Cechman/PND/EDV/Orlando on 07/15/2008 11:59 AM----"The Orlando Hot Dog
Company"
<orlandohotdogs @gmail.com
>
07/14/2008 12:50 PM
To [email protected]
cc [email protected], "Gillian Nanton"
<[email protected]>
Subject Re: hot dog carts on i-drive
Hi Mark,
we are currently looking at a private site on !-Drive, that used to house between the buns, pre
9/11. the location is 6600 international drive and its actually sidewalk space, with no ingress
egress challenges as it is tucked between the ticket and cell phone booth. please advise. i have
attached a photo. the spot market "X" is actuall 0 feet deep by 7 feet wide. please advise, the
realtor is waiting for us to say yea or nay, based on your response.
On Man, Jul14, 2008 at 8:57AM, <[email protected]> wrote:
~,
)
Thanks for the email Keith . Your question on hot -dog carts on 1-Drive will take a few
days to research. Below is the code section concerning hot dog carts (and such) on
City right-of-way below.
()
)
Can I assume your carts will be on private property ??? If so, will they be in existing
parking lots?
Sec. 54.27-1. Selling on Public Rights-of-Way.
(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to solicit or attempt to solicit employment or business,
or exhibit for sale, offer for sale or sell any service, merchandise object, food or drink either
from, in or on public roads, streets, medians or safety zones or, while located on a City
sidewalk or adjacent road right-of-way, to solicit or attempt to solicit employment or business,
or sell, offer for sale or sell any service, merchandise object, food or drink to any person in any
vehicle in the adjacent City, County or State roadways. If a public road or street has been
closed pursuant to Section 39.08(17) of this Code, such sales or solicitations maybe permitted
upon specific approval of the City Council.
(2) It shall be unlawful for any person to exhibit for sale, offer for sale or sell any service,
merchandise object, food or drink on or from any other public right of way, unless:
(a) Such person is operating within and pursuant to a current franchise or concession
agreement with the City for such sales at such location,
(b) Such person received specific approval for such sales from the proper governmental
authority if the right-of-way is owned by a governmental agency other that the City of Orlando,
(c) Such person is operating a transportation service otherwise permitted by this Code or State
law,
(d) Such sales are otherwise expressly permitted on public rights-of-way by this Code and all
conditions, permits, licenses, and regulations applicable thereto have been met or obtained,
(e) Such sales fall within a recognized, constitutionally guaranteed exercise of the freedom of
religion, speech, or the press, or,
(f) Such sales received specific City Council approval.
Non-commercial solicitations are governed by Section 51.06 of this Code. Sales on other
public property are governed by Section 43.85 of this Code.
(Ord. of 4-5-1982, Doc. #16903; Ord. of 12-4-1995, Doc. #28945)
Mark Cechman, AJCF- Chief flanner /Zoning Official / LE.E.D Af
E_conomic Development Department ]Ianning Division
Land Development Studio
C;b:l of Orlando
400
5- Orange Avenue, 6• Floor
f05ox4-990
Orlando, FL )2802-4-990
407.2+6.207 8,
FAX +o7.H6.2895
Mark.cechman@cityofor!ando.net
The Cit_y has developed a ver_y comprehensive and eas_y to use we_b site that can provide a wealth of information concemingzoning
issues to indude:
Zoning and future l and {jse Maps
Zoning Reference Guide
Or the entire Code of Ordinances.
Working with the Communi"t!J to C~atc Orlando's Tomorrow. ... Tada3 .... Through the Economic Development Department:
/3usfness Development, Cit.!J /Ianning, /?ea/ Estate, J:ermitting 5crviccs, Code Enforamcnt, Downtown Devefopmcntf5oardand
the Communit:!J 1\cdevcfopmcntAgenc3. Check out our website!! www.citqoforlando.net/cconomic Florida has a vc'Y broadpubkc
records law. As a result; an3 written communication create_dor received h3 C'f;!;J ofOrlando ol!icia/s and empfo!Jccs will he made
available to the public and media, upon rcc/uest_ unless otherwise: e;xe:mpt. ljnde:r /lorida law, email addresses arc public records. /f3ou
do not want3our em ad address released in response: to a pubhC records re:1ue:st; do not send electronic mail to this omce:. /nstead,
contact our office b3 phone or in writing
)
''The Orlando Hot Dog Company" <orlandohotdogs®gmail.com>
To [email protected]
07/12/2008 01:32PM
cc
Subject hot dog carts on i~drive
Hi Mark,
Thanks for the call. Simply put, where, how, and under what conditions can we deploy a fully
licensed, inspected, insured hot dog carts on i-drive, that is also prepared to name the city of
orlando as an additional on our policy?
The Orlando Hot Dog Company,
a division of The Advisory Group, Inc.
"We put more meat between the buns"
Address:
n
The AG Building
Suite 3
1308 North Pine Hills Road
Orlando, Florida
32808-4832
Telephone: 407.459.4821
Fax: 407.915.4252
email: [email protected]
On The Web: www.orlandohotdogs.net
The Orlando Hot Dog Company,
a division of The Advisory Group, Inc.
"We put more meat between the buns"
, \
)
Address:
The AG Building
Suite 3
1308 North Pine Hills Road
Orlando, Florida
32808-4832
Telephone: 407.459.4821
Fax: 407.459.4821
email: [email protected]
On The Web: www.orlandohotdogs.net
6600 idrivespol.jpg
,)
GLIMPSE
Beyond Hot Dogs
Some cities want their street food to take
on new flavors.
"THAT'S MY FAVORITE,"
says Demetrius Thom pson,
as he dish es out a bowl of
green chicken curry and rice.
Thompson, a young guy with
dreadlocks pulled back under a
baseball cap, mans a sidewalk
food cart on a busy corner of
downtown Washington, D.C.
His menu includes Asian fusion items, such as a Japanese
edamame salad with mush ·
rooms. But it's the chicken
curry that's the most popular.
Thompson piles a plate high
with plump rice, chargrilled
·cken and fresh vegetables
has eggplant and red pep·
pers. He ladles on sweet, creamy coconut
milk and carefully sprinkles on some spicy
green herbs. "1 have a delicious Moroccan
mint tea that would go great with that," he
offers. "You've really got to try it."
This is street food?
Well, it's starting to be. In many places
around the country, food-cart options are
exploding as vendors branch out and offer
new fare. American cities have never had
quite the street-food culture that urban cen·
ters in Europe, Asia and Africa do. But
some sidewalks in the United States are
starting to look like a global buffet-with
vendors selling everything from crepes and
kebabs to vegan burgers and Korean Bi
Bim Bop. Street food today means a whole
lot more than hot dogs and pretzels.
Nowhere is that shift more evident right
now than in D.C. The District recently lifted
a nearly to-year moratorium on new food·
cart permits in a concetted effort to diversifY
the city's sidewalk fare. The ban had taken
a culinary toll. Of the 200 licensed street·
r"r. od vendors in the District, only three
n't sell hot dogs or smoked sausages.
68 AUGUST 2008 GOVERNI NG
All that began to change a year and a half
ago, when the city lifted the ban. At the
same time, Washington conducted a smvey
asking residents for their opinions about
street-food options. Overwhelmingly, re·
spondents said they wanted more choices.
And 84 percent wanted to see more ethnic
foods. ''There was this huge public outcry for
different types of food," says Sam Miller, the
city's vending coordinator. "For a city with
such a huge international population, our
street food was not very diverse." The city
hosted to outreach sessions designed to
help vendors branch out, including one
meeting titled, "You Don' t Have to Sell Hot
Dogs." The effort is slowly making a difference. The city has authorized dozens of
new carts since lifting the ban, and many of
them offer new options such as shawarma
or barbecue or empanadas.
Other cities are getting in on the interna·
tiona! act. too. Seattle is looking at expand·
ing its street-food rules, which currently
limit vendors to hot dogs, coffee and flow·
ers. Just last month, Portland, Oregon , re·
leased a study, called "Food Cartology," that
recommended encou raging
new vendors to open carts in
the city. Grand Rapids, Michigan, is debating a new regula·
tion system to site food ven·
dors and encourage more di·
verse options. Even New York
City, which certainly has the
United States' most ro bust
street-food culture, isn't settling for the current me nu.
Under the city's new Green
Carts program, New York will
issue t ,ooo new licenses to
mobile vendors who agree to
sell fresh produce in undersetved neighborhoods.
Not every locality seems to
want such a multicultural sidewalk smorgasbord. Several. in fact, have curbed or
banned food carts in recent years. Los An·
geles County, for example, recently passed
a m easure requiring mobile food vendors
to change location every hour. Many brickand-mortar restaurants object to allowing
food carts to set up shop right outside their
door. And many people believe sidewalk
carts-and the foot-traffic they invite-are
a nuisance. "There's always going to be
people who think these carts are just in the
way and dirty," says Kelly Wi lliams at the
Project for Public Spaces, a nonprofit
urban planning and design organization.
Diverse food vendors, Williams says, bring
life to a city and help create a sense of
place. "They add something to the city that
would really be missed if they suddenly
disappeared."
For Jay Fowler, the executive director of
the Grand Rapids Downtown Development
Authority, the prospect of new kinds of
sidewalk carts is exciting. ''I'd love to see a
Middle Eastern food vendor. I don't eat hot
dogs, but I do eat falafel." -Zach Patton