Agenda Item No: P.1
AGENDA REPORT
DATE: October 21, 2025
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: David Gassaway, City Manager
SUBJECT: Ordinance 2025-09 CD Mobile Food Vending and Licensing
Creating Chapter 5F (Mobile Food Vending and Licensing Ordinance) of the Fairfield Municipal Code to Establish Mobile Food Vendor Regulations
Funding Source: N/A
Contact: Keisha Mamaril, (707) 428-7039
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Hold public hearing; waive full reading, read by title only, and introduce ordinance for first reading.
STATEMENT OF ISSUE
The growing popularity of mobile food vendors has increased demand for clear operational guidelines. The proposed ordinance would amend the Fairfield Municipal Code to permit and regulate mobile food vendor activities within city limits.
DISCUSSION
Mobile food vendors have become a popular and convenient dining option, contributing to the diversity and vibrancy of the local economy. However, the City currently lacks clear guidelines and regulations specific to mobile food vendors to address the operation of these businesse s, which has led to issues for code enforcement. These include mobile food vending vehicles parking in unauthorized areas, blocking traffic and pedestrian paths, and failing to meet health and safety standards. The absence of clear and enforceable regulations allows mobile food vendors to operate at a lower cost and at a proximity that impedes regular business operations for established brick and mortar restaurants, creating unfair competition.
The proposed ordinance is designed to regulate the location, hours of operation, and business practices of mobile food vendors in a way that ensures they operate responsibly and contribute positively to the community.
The ordinance would provide:
Permitting Requirements: A fair process for obtaining the necessary permits to operate a mobile food vending vehicle, including health and safety inspections and annual licensing. Operating Hours and Restrictions: Guidelines to prevent mobile food v endors from operating in areas that could disrupt traffic or impede regular business operations of local restaurants.
Public Safety and Sanitation Standards: Requirements for mobile food vendors to maintain clean and sanitary conditions, including waste disposal and food handling standards.
This ordinance aims to provide clear and enforceable regulations that support a healthy and sustainable mobile food vending industry while maintaining public safety, supporting local businesses, and minimizing disruptions in the community.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The proposed ordinance on mobile food vendors is expected to generate additional revenue through a new permitting and licensing system. This would include application fees, and fines for non-compliance. The new fees are anticipated to offset the administrative costs of enforcement, monitoring, and inspections. By creating a more regulated environment, the City can also reduce costs associated with code enfor cement issues and unregulated operations, which currently strain resources.
PUBLIC CONTACT/ADVISORY BODY RECOMMENDATION
The Economic Development Division published a public hearing notice in the Daily Republic newspaper on September 3 , 2025, and on September 28, 2025 . As of the writing of this staff report, the staff has not received any subsequent correspondence on the project.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Council may choose to deny any or all of the requests and not adopt the proposed ordinance. In this case, the proposed Mobile Food Vending and Licensing permitting process would not occur, and the existing Peddler’s Permit process would remain to permit mo bile food vendor operations.
COORDINATED WITH
City Attorney’s Office and Police Department
STAFF CONTACT
Keisha Mamaril, Economic Development Project Manager
(707) 428-7039
[email protected]
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 2: Proposed Ordinance