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Ordinance Amending Chapter 8 Business Licensing, Article 24 Foods and Food Establishments of the Village Code
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Introduction
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On March 18, 2025 the Village Board discussed potential regulations on mobile food vendors to address equitable opportunities for business owners.
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Recommended Action
Approve the Ordinance.
Prior Board Action
The Board has taken the following prior action:
* On March 18, 2025 the Village Board directed staff to return with a draft ordinance with code changes for consideration.
Background
The Village of Oak Park does not currently have any regulations pertaining to where mobile food vendors can operate. The mobile food vendor business license given to food trucks allows operators to sell anywhere within the Village as long as they comply with parking regulations, pass a health inspection, and pay the business license fee. Health inspections are conducted based on the level of risk the mobile food vendor is categorized in. If it is considered to be a high-risk operator, they receive three (3) annual inspections; a medium-risk operator receives two (2) annual inspections; and if they are considered to be a low-risk operator, they receive one (1) annual inspection.
Village staff have researched neighboring communities and their current regulations and ordinances in place to regulate mobile food vendors. Attachment A is a summary of the research conducted by staff.
After analyzing the Village Board's feedback regarding regulations, staff is proposing the following regulations:
1. The mobile food vendor must operate at least 250 feet from a food and drink establishment of the same kind.
2. Mobile food vendors are unable to operate in the greater Downtown Oak Park area.
3. If a mobile food vendor wishes to participate in a special event in the restricted areas, they must submit a request for a special event permit. Unless the event is on private property, a temporary use permit must be ob...
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