Mobile Retail (TC-1-22)
Mobile Retail (TC-1-22)
Mobile Retail (TC-1-22): This text change proposes amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) that would rename the ‘Food Truck’ use as defined in 6.4.10.D to ‘Mobile Retail – Long Term’ and proposes modifications to the associated use standards. This text change also proposes to rename the ‘Temporary Mobile Retail’ use as defined in Sec. 6.8.2.F to ‘Mobile Retail – Short Term’ and proposes modifications the associated use standards. Lastly, this text change proposes amendments to the ‘Outdoor Mobile Vending Cart’ temporary use as defined in Sec. 6.8.2.C. Read the full TC-1-22 draft ordinance.
Background information:
On November 16, 2021, Council authorized the Food Trucks and Mobile Vending text change that would seek to harmonize the disparate ‘mobile retail’ uses found within the UDO and modify the applicable use standards to create more flexibility for vendors/operators.
Current Rules:
Today, the City of Raleigh classifies the selling of food from a licensed and operational vehicle or cart on private property either as a ‘Food Truck’ pursuant to Sec. 6.4.10.D, or a ‘Outdoor Mobile Vending Cart’ pursuant to Sec. 6.8.2.C. The sale of other certain goods or services may also be classified as a ‘Temporary Mobile Retail’ use pursuant to Sec. 6.8.2.F. Each of these uses contains ‘Use Standards’ intended to mitigate any potential adverse impacts. These use standards can be summarized as follows: geographic and density restrictions, proximity restrictions, and permitting/nuisance abatement provisions. Raleigh’s UDO also incorporates ‘density caps’ which limits the number of food trucks and/or mobile vending carts that can operate based on the size of the property. Additional proximity-based standards also apply to ‘brick-and-mortar’ restaurants, dining areas, and food vending cart locations. The remaining use regulations relate to general food truck operations, the use of nearby parking areas, and standards that address potential nuisances such as noise, hours of operation, and trash.
Proposed Text Change:
The proposed text change would:
- Redefine and rename the ‘Food Truck’ use pursuant to Sec. 6.4.10.D to ‘Mobile Retail - Long Term’;
- Redefine and rename the ‘Temporary Mobile Retail’ use pursuant to Sec. 6.8.2.F to ‘Mobile Retail – Short Term’;
- Increase the allowable density of mobile retail vehicles (e.g., ‘Food Trucks’) permitted to operate on a lot;
- Reduce the separation requirement between Food Trucks and offsite eating establishments and other similar food service business;
- Allow limited signage associated with mobile retail vehicles;
- Allow Mobile Retail - Short Term in the RX- and IH- zoning districts.
Public Meeting Schedule:
This text change is scheduled for a Planning Commission Text Change Committee meeting in March. The Committee may act on that date or refer to their next Text Change Committee for further discussion. We will be collecting comments here through March 9. Comments after this date should be submitted directly to Justin Bucher via Justin.Bucher@raleighnc.gov.