PORT ANGELES — In an effort to streamline and enhance the permitting process, the city of Port Angeles has updated its mobile and itinerant vendor code.
The updated code, which will go into effect March 1, expands the definition of these vendors, establishes clear criteria for proposals, gives consistent timelines and ensures a fair and efficient review process, according to a city council memo.
All mobile or itinerant outdoor vendors, other than lemonade stands, must acquire a permit to operate. There are two types of permits.
Minor permits are for those vendors that are selling goods or services for four days or fewer out of the calendar year, or those providing free services. These permits are free.
Major permits are for vendors that sell goods or services for five days or more out of the calendar year. They cost $95.10.
Most places that host mobile and itinerant vendors, both in residential and non-residential zones, must go through a minor or major mobile and itinerant vendor hosting site plan review as well.
There are a few requirements for the hosting site. One of them requires that sites have either a public restroom facility within 1,000 feet of the hosting site, or an on-site restroom facility.
Among other things, the application must include a site plan detailing relevant features of the site. Hand-drawn plans are allowed.
Parking lot hosting events that don’t exceed seven consecutive days for private businesses, or 14 consecutive days for private nonprofit and charitable organizations, are exempt from the site plan reviews.
The site plan review for hosting minor vendors is $190.20. The review for hosting major vendors is $285.30.
Prior to the update, mobile vendors such as food trucks had to operate through event permits, conditional use permits or temporary right-of-way permits. The most relevant previous code, which became effective in 1988, provided regulations for “hot dog cart” styles of operation rather than mobile vendors, according to the city memo.
Chloe Bonsen, city associate planner, said during a January city council meeting that Port Angeles’ updated code differs in a few ways from Sequim and Port Townsend. While both neighboring cities have zoning limitations, Port Angeles does not. The other cities also have sign review requirements, Bonson said, while Port Angeles does not.
________
Reporter Emma Maple can be reached by email at emma.maple@peninsuladailynews.com.
