Ripon Municipal Code Ch. 5.54 Mobile Vendors

It is the purpose of this section to provide clear and concise regulations governing mobile vending operations to prevent safety, traffic and health hazards, as well as to preserve the peace, safety, welfare and quality of life of the City and its residents (Ord. 880, 2018).

For the purposes of this Chapter, unless the particular provision or the context otherwise requires, the definitions in this Section shall govern the construction, meaning and application of words and phrases used in this Chapter.

A. “Food Truck” means a wheeled vehicle from which food is sold that typically contains cooking facilities where the food is prepared.

B. “Food Truck Event” means an event where one or more mobile food vendors come together at one location for a picnic style food truck gathering open to the general public.

C. “Mobile Vendor” means any person in charge of or operating any mobile vending vehicle, either as agent, employee, or otherwise under the direction of the owner.

D. “Mobile Vending Vehicle” means any vehicle, trailer, wagon or pushcart from which goods, wares, merchandise, fruits, vegetables or foodstuffs are sold, displayed, solicited or offered for sale or bartered or exchanged, or any lunch wagon, including food trucks, or eating cart or vehicle on any portion of any street or property within the City. For the purposes of this ordinance, mobile vending vehicles excludes the sale of alcohol.

E. “Private/Invitation Event” means a private and/or invitation only event that is held on an inconsistent basis at a place of business or private residence. Such events include open houses, a seasonal holiday event, block parties, private parties, etc. Private and/or invitation only event means an event that is not open to the general public at large. These type of events are either private parties or events by invitation only for clients or members of specific groups or organizations. Inconsistent basis means not occurring on a regular basis as determined by the Planning Director.

F. “Private Developed Property” means property owned by non-governmental legal entities and has been improved pursuant to approval of a site plan permit or building permit and has paid the appropriate property development fees pursuant to the Ripon Municipal Code.

G. “School Facilities” means building or grounds associated with a public or private K-8 or K-12 school.

REQUIRED It shall be unlawful for any Mobile Vendor to conduct business within the City without first obtaining a valid City Business License pursuant to Ripon Municipal Code Chapter 5.04.

CLASSIFICATIONS/REGULATIONS Mobile Vendors shall be classified into one of three categories as listed below and are only allowed to operate under the following circumstances within the City of Ripon unless specifically exempted pursuant to section 5.54.050 of this Code.

5.54.040

101-29 (12/2018)

A. Mobile Vendors not stopping for more than ten (10) minutes at any given location (i.e. Mobile Lunch/Break Wagon or Truck, Ice Cream Truck, Ice Cream Wagon, etc.)

1. This classification of mobile vendors may operate on either public or private developed property so long as they do not stop in one spot for more than ten (10) minutes at a time. For the purposes of this Code, not stopping or standing in one spot for more than 10 minutes shall mean that the Mobile Vendor must move at least fifty (50) feet from its previous location.
2. Shall not obstruct normal flow of vehicular and/or pedestrian access.

B. Mobile Vendors on private developed property for private/invitation only events.

1. This classification of mobile vendors may only operate on private developed property for private/invitation only events as defined in this Code. In residential zones only, an allowable placement for a Mobile Vendor may be on the public street directly in front of the residence hosting the event.
2. Shall not obstruct normal flow of vehicular and/or pedestrian access.
3. May only operate during the private/invitation event.
4. Shall not exceed more than three (3) mobile vendors.
5. Must have written permission from the property owner for such event. C. Food Truck or Mobile Vendor Event
6. Allowed only with approval of a special events permit issued by the City of Ripon specifically for a Food Truck Event.
7. Acceptable locations: a. Shall only be located on non-residentially zoned private developed property as defined in this Code; or b. Mistlin Sports Park or upper Stouffer Park.
8. Must have written permission from the property owner for such event.
9. Shall not interfere with minimum required parking for businesses if event is held during normal business hours of surrounding businesses or interfere with ingress or egress for the property.
10. Food Truck or Mobile Vendor Events shall be limited to monthly or bi-monthly as specified in the special events permit for such event.

The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to any person and/or group engaged in vending conducted in connection with the following: A. School facilities if the vendor is in partnership with the organization conducting the event, has permission from the property owner, and is located on the site of the event. Such vending activity shall only operate during said event; or B. Recreational facilities if the vendor is in partnership with the organization conducting the event, has permission from the property owner, and is located on the site of the event. Such vending activity shall only operate during said event; or C. Mobile Vendors as part of a special events permit issued by the City of Ripon. As part of a special event means that the event is not predominately centered around the Mobile Vendors (i.e. Main Street Days, Almond Blossom Festival, etc.); or D. Mobile Vendors associated with an event at the Ripon Community Center.
Such vending activity shall only operate during said event and shall be

5.54.060

101-30 (12/2018) E. located on the premises of the Ripon Community Center property.

5.54.060 APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAWS AND REGULATIONS Nothing contained within this Chapter shall be construed to exempt any Person from complying with the provisions of any other applicable law or regulation, or to exempt a Mobile Vendor from the provisions of any zoning, licensing, building or other law or regulation.

5.56.010

101-31 (12/2019) Chapter 5.56 Regulation of Sidewalk Vendors

Sections: 5.56.010 Purpose 5.56.020 Definitions

5.56.030 City Business License and Permit Required 5.56.040 Issuance of Permit 5.56.050 Operating Conditions 5.56.060 Prohibited activities and locations 5.56.070 Penalties 5.56.080 Appeals