§ 25.198 MOBILE VENDORS.

(A) This section establishes minimum standards for mobile vendors, as defined in § 25.239, within the City of Red Bluff.

(B) Definitions.

(1) LARGE MOBILE VENDOR.

(a) STATIONARY LARGE MOBILE VENDOR means a licensed motor vehicle used as a mobile vendor or licensed trailer used as a mobile vendor.

(b) NON-STATIONARY LARGE MOBILE VENDOR means a licensed motor vehicle used as a mobile

vendor or licensed trailer used as a mobile vendor which travels via city streets to dispense its products and does not have a permanent location, such as an ice cream truck or food delivery truck.

(2) SMALL MOBILE VENDOR means a piece of equipment, not located or used on a city sidewalk or park, used for mobile vending, is nonmotorized and is capable of being propelled by a single person such as a pushcart, cart, stand, pedal-driven cart, wagon, showcase, or rack.

(3) TEMPORARY MOBILE VENDOR means a mobile vendor, whether large or small, that is to be used during a special event, such as a grand opening or promotional event, for a short term, less than a one-week period.

(4) SIDEWALK MOBILE VENDORS as established and governed by California Government Code §§ 51036 through 51039 means a person who sells food or merchandise from a pushcart, stand, display, pedal-driven cart, wagon, showcase, rack, or other nonmotorized conveyance, or from one’s person, upon a public sidewalk or other pedestrian path or public park.

ROAMING SIDEWALK VENDOR means a sidewalk vendor who moves from place to place and stops only to complete a transaction.

STATIONARY SIDEWALK VENDOR means a sidewalk vendor who vends from a fixed location.

1. Stationary (a permanent or recurring location, but must move off-site every day, as is currently required).

2. Non-stationary (no permanent location, travels via city sidewalk to dispense its products, i.e., food cart).

(C) Permit requirements.

• (1) Permit and licensing requirements for mobile vendors are as follows:

Large Mobile Vendor

Small Mobile Temporary Stationary Vendor Mobile Vendor Sidewalk Mobile Vendor

Use

(D) Mobile vendors requirements.

• (1) Requirements for mobile vendors are as follows:

(2) Specific requirements are noted below:

(a) Site plan. Mobile vendor unit applicant/owner shall submit site plan with all lot dimensions, existing buildings, mobile vending unit location/arrangement in relationship to other features on the lot and proposed accessories to the site, tables, chairs, awning/shade structures, landscaping, etc. The purpose of the plans submittal is to assure continuity with the surrounding land uses and compliance with the minimum standards as stated herein, prior to a formal conditional use permit application and staff’s support/recommendation for said application.

(b) Emergency access. Mobile vendors shall maintain at least a 12-foot separation or setback from any buildings/property lines, or any other object that may hinder emergency access to the lot or mobile vending unit.

(c) Fire inspection. Mobile vendors who use cooking facilities shall schedule a semi-annual fire inspection with the City of Red Bluff Fire Department to maintain compliance with regulations governing fixed extinguishing system(s) for commercial cooking operation.

(d) Time restrictions. No mobile vending unit shall be authorized/allowed to stay on any site more than 12 hours in a 24-hour day for which they are approved to occupy (i.e. they shall leave any approved site for a total of 12 hours a day or more).

Non-stationary large mobile vendors are only allowed to stop in the city street as long as it takes to dispense the product. At no time shall a non-stationary mobile vendor be stopped in one on-street location greater than ten minutes.

No mobile vending unit using multiple vending sites shall be authorized/allowed to stay on any one site more than 12 hours in a 24-hour day and for more than two consecutive days and six total days per month which they are approved to occupy (i.e. they shall leave any approved site for a total of 12 hours a day or more).

(e) Location restrictions. Mobile vending units are not permitted on private property in any residential zoning district. Mobile vending units shall be located no closer than 300 feet to each other, unless in a designated mobile vendor park or participating in a special event activity. No mobile vending unit may conduct business, park, or operate within 600 feet of any elementary, middle, or high school, whether public or private. The 600 feet shall be measured from each property line of the school(s), creating a 600-foot radius around the school’s property.

(f) Multiple sites. Mobile vendors using multiple off-street sites is allowed pursuant to the requirements of this chapter.

(g) Property owner permission. Each mobile vending unit shall obtain property owner permission in writing for each proposed location and submit this permission to the city prior to approval.

(h) Annual review and renewal. Each vendor shall obtain a written permission to operate letter from the property owner and submit it to the Community Development Department in January of each calendar year following the issuance of the approved permit.

(Ord. 990, passed 4-21-2009; Am. Ord. 1059, passed 5-4-2021; Am. Ord. 1089, passed 5-6-2025)