Sacramento Municipal Code Art. I General Provisions

Food vending vehicles benefit our community by providing services to those who live and work in areas where food may not be readily available. In addition, they offer an entrepreneurial opportunity for the people in our community to open a small business and provide unique foods that may not be available at brick-and-mortar restaurants.

The city also needs to protect the public by ensuring that these large vehicles are operated in a safe manner and do not create nuisances in our neighborhoods. Reasonable regulations are necessary to ensure that food vending vehicles are operated in accordance with health laws of the state; do not block or hinder vehicle or pedestrian traffic on our streets and sidewalks; do not cause public safety problems by contributing to crowding near schools and entertainment establishments; and do not disturb the quiet use and enjoyment of our residential neighborhoods. Therefore, the regulations in this chapter are enacted in accordance with the authority granted in Section 22455 of the California Vehicle Code. (Ord. 2015-0016 § 1)

As used in this chapter, the following definitions apply:

"Bicycle" has the same meaning as in California Vehicle Code section 231.

"Director" means the city's director of finance, or designee.

"Drive" means to operate and control the direction and speed of a vehicle.

"Driver permit" means a food vending vehicle driver permit.

"Food vending vehicle" means any vehicle (e.g., truck or trailer) or bicycle from which a vendor displays, offers for sale, or sells food or beverages directly to a consumer.

"Heavy commercial and industrial zoning districts" means C-4, M-1, M-1S, M-2, M-2, MRD, and MIP zoning districts as established pursuant to title 17.

"Operate a food vending vehicle" means to drive, occupy, or otherwise use a food vending vehicle.

"Property permit" means a food vending vehicle property permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

"Residential zoning districts" means RE, R-1, R-1A, R-1B, R-2, R-2A, R-2B, R-3, R-3A, and RO zoning districts as established pursuant to title 17.

"Trailer" has the same meaning as in California Vehicle Code section 630.

"Vehicle" has the same meaning as in California Vehicle Code section 670.

"Vehicle permit" means a food vending vehicle permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

"Vehicle permit decal" means a city food vending vehicle permit decal.

"Vendor" means any person who operates a food vending vehicle. (Ord. 2018-0044 § 1; Ord. 2015-0016 § 1)

A. In addition to any other remedy allowed by law, any person who violates a provision of this chapter is subject to criminal sanctions, civil actions, and administrative penalties pursuant to Chapter 1.28.

B. Violations of this chapter are hereby declared to be a public nuisance.

C. Any person who violates a provision of this chapter is liable for civil penalties of not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) or more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) for each day the violation continues.

D. All remedies prescribed under this chapter shall be cumulative and the election of one or more remedies shall not bar the city from the pursuit of any other remedy for the purpose of enforcing the provisions hereof. (Ord. 2015-0016 § 1)