2021-025 - Amending the Code or Ordinances by Amending Article 5, "Business Regulations" Article 5.07 "Food Establishments"AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS,
AMENDING THE CITY OF PARIS CODE OF ORDINANCES BY AMENDING
ARTICLE 5, "BUSINESS REGULATIONS", ARTICLE 5.07, "FOOD
ESTABLISHMENTS," DIVISION 4, "MOBILE FOOD UNITS AND FOOD TRUCK
PARKS;" PROVIDING A REPEALER CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; PROVIDING A PENALTY
CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, on May 13, 2019, the City Council of the City of Paris, Texas adopted
Ordinance No. 2019-017 related to mobile food units and food truck parks; and
WHEREAS, since that time, it has become apparent that said ordinance requires
certain amendments; and
WHEREAS, on July 6, 2 02 1, following notice and publication as required by law, the
Planning and Zoning Commission conducted a public hearing on the proposed amendments
to Article 5.07, Division 4, "Mobile Food Units and Food Truck Parks," of the city's Code of
Ordinances, and following said hearing, made formal recommendation to the City Council to
approve the requested amendments; and
WHEREAS, on August 23, 2021, following notice and publication as required by law,
the City Council of the City of Paris conducted a public hearing on the proposed amendments
to the City Zoning Ordinance and the City Code of Ordinances, and having considered the
recommendations of the Planning and Zoning Commission and the testimony and evidence
introduced at said public hearing, found and determined that approving the aforesaid
amendments would be consistent with the City Zoning Ordinance and the City Code of
Ordinances, and in the best interests of the public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens
of the'City of Paris by a vote of 7 ayes and 0 nays.
RARIS, TEXAS:
Section 1. That the findings set out in the preamble to this ordinance are hereby in
all things approved.
Section 2. That Code of Ordinances Article 5.07, Division 4, "Mobile Food Units and
Food Truck Parks," shall be amended to read in its entirety as set forth herein in Exhibit A,
attached hereto and incorporated herein as if set forth in full.
Section 3. That all provisions of the ordinances of the City of Paris, Texas in conflict
0
with the provisions of this ordinance are hereby repealed, and all other provisions of the
ordinances of the City of Paris not in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance shall
remain in full force and effect.
Section 4. That the repeal of any ordinance or part of ordinances affected by the
enactment of this ordinance shall not be construed as abandoning any action now pending
under or by virtue of such ordinance or as discontinuing, abating, modifying, or altering any
penalty accruing or to accrue, or as affecting any rights of the municipality under any section
or provisions of any ordinance at the time of passage of this ordinance.
Section 5. That it is the intention of the City Council of the City of Paris that this
ordinance, and every provision hereof, shall be considered severable, and the invalidity or
partial invalidity of any section, clause, or provisions of this ordinance shall not affect the
validity of any other portion of this ordinance.
Section 6. That any person violating any provision of this ordinance shall be guilty
of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction, shall be subject to a fine in accordance with
provisions of Sec. 1.01.009 of the City of Paris Code of Ordinances, and each and every day's
continuance of any violation of the above -enumerated sections shall constitute and be
deemed a separate offense.
Section 7. This ordinance shall become effective on from and after its passage and
publication as required by law.
PASSED AND ADOPTED on this 23rd day of August, 2021 by the City Council of the City
of Paris, Texas in regular session following notice and publication as required by law.
Mils, city uerx
APP OVED AS TO FORM:
Step anie H. Harris, City Attorney
2
Paula Portugal, Mayor
Division 4. Mobile Food Units and Food Truck Parks
u Sec. 5.07.091 Purpose and intent
The purpose of this division is to allow for mobile food units to operate within the city on private
property and city -owned property for a limited period of time. This division also allows for food
truck parks as a principal use. This division does not apply to pushcarts which require appropriate
health district permits and temporary vendor permits. Mobile food units operating within the public
right-of-way require a solicitor's permit and must comply with the operational requirements in this
division and article 5.05 of this code. (Ordinance 2019-017, sec. 2 (14-90), adopted 5/13/19)
Q. u Sec. 5.07.092 Definitions
Event center. A facility consisting of multi-purpose rooms, outdoor courtyards, or recreational
facilities used for hosting social gatherings such as weddings, parties, receptions, dances, and
festivals.
Food truck park (court). A property used or developed to accommodate one or more food trucks
as the primary use of the property while possibly accommodating areas on the property for
entertainment or recreational opportunities. Food truck courts must have a valid certificate of
occupancy in addition to all other applicable permits and inspections, and accommodate all
requirements of use.
Mobile food unit (food truck). An operational motor vehicle and/or enclosed trailer from which food
and associated non-alcoholic beverages are prepared, served and/or sold on public or private
property for a period of time which exceeds 60 minutes or two instances of 30 minutes each day.
This definition shall also apply to any seating, garbage and/or recycling containers, fr
gear or equipment that is associated with the food truck's operation.
Operation site. The geographic area, not located within a food truck court, within which the food
truck will park, prepare, and sell food and/or associated non-alcoholic beverages. This also
includes areas where the food truck's customers go to consume food and/or non-alcoholic
beverages sold from the food truck. The sale of merchandise other than food and non-alcoholic
beverages shall not be permitted o.,.,.the-r -t�h,.ar that contained �c..on,...t.-a-fi„n�e„d�w,it,hin�0Y'_MPRn igm of -food
unit.
(Ordinance 2019-017, sec. 2 (14-91), adopted 5/13/19)
Sec. 5.07.093 Requirements for mobile food units
(a) Use generally. A mobile food unit is allowed as a temporary food service operation that
supports a commercial business office or industrial park in approved locations in the city, and in
conformance with the zoning ordinance.
(b) Accessory use only: associated primary uses. Mobile food unitsndior puu f1 are
prohibited except as an accessory use supporting the following primary uses, in accordance
w
with all other._pr9y1s, I ions of this Section:
(1) Commercial businesses located on lots zoned General Retail (GR), Central
re [,, Commercial (C), Light Industrial (LI) and Heavy Industrial (HI) ii,
Page 1 of 7
(2) Event centers;
(3) Municipal parks and recreation facilities;
(4) School districts, higher education facilities, corporate office campuses, and
business/industrial parks, at which the mobile food unit provides service to the
students or employees of the hosting organization; and
(5) Catering for private events where the mobile food unit is located on private
property and will not adversely affect property access or traffic flow, or otherwise cause
a nuisance to the area.
(A) The mobile food unit shall be parked a minimum of ten (10) feet from any
structure.
(B) Catering operations shall be limited to 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. in residential
areas.
(c) Operation to be temporary in nature. Mobile food units are meant to be open on-site only
on a temporary basis. As such, the following requirements shall be met:
(1) New connections to city water or wastewater infrastructure are prohibited;
(2) New electric meters are prohibited; and
(3) It shall be unlawful for the owner of a mobile food unit to park the vehicle
overnight at the location of their associated primary use.
(d) Permit.
(1) Required. An annual permit is required for the operation of a mobile food unit
within the city limits. The owner of the mobile food unit is responsible for obtaining the
permit. First-time permit applications are accepted and reviewed by the office of
CoFnznurflt,Y Deve�o prior to commencing any sales from
the mobile food unit.
Page 2 of 7
(2) Permission from property owner. Permission letters from the property owner(s)
are required for the mobile food unit's proposed locations during the calendar year.
Such letters shall be required with the permit application.
(3) Sales tax number. A copy of the sales tax number for the mobile food unit is
required with the permit application.
(4) Fee. A fee as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code shall
accompany the permit application to cover the cost of inspections by the building and
fire departments.
(5) Term. The mobile food unit permit is valid for 12 months from the date of
issuance. Each mobile food unit vendor is responsible for obtaining a valid permit.
(6) Issuance or denial; revocation. The building official, in approving or denying such
application, shall consider the nature of the use; existing uses in surrounding areas;
noise, dust, light, and traffic generated; health and sanitary conditions; and compliance
with other regulations of this article. The chief building official shall have the right, upon
finding that a hazard or nuisance shall exist by continuing such use, to revoke any
temporary use at any time or to deny any extension. After such revocation, such
temporary use shall immediately cease and all temporary structures shall be removed
within ten days of notification of such finding.
(e) Site location criteria.
(1) Mobile food units shall not locate on public streets.
(2) Mobile food units shall not be located within fifty (50) feet of a single-family
dwelling unit. This measurement shall be taken from the property line of the dwelling
unit to the closest point of the mobile food unit location.
(3) Mobile food units shall not locate in access drives, fire lanes, or ,.,dip alleys.
(4) Mobile food units shall not be located on sidewalks in or along the right-of-way
without prior approval from the city. Approval may be granted if a minimum width of
five (5) feet of sidewalk remains free of any obstructions.
(5) Mobile food units may not occupy any parking spaces needed for the minimum
required parking for the primary use.
(6) Mobile food units shall be located a minimum of fifteen (15) feet from fire hydrants
and five (5) feet from any utility box, ADA accessibility ramp, or building entrance.
(f) Operational requirements.
(1) The mobile food unit shall be in compliance with the Lamar County Health District
regulations and applicable city building and fire department regulations.
(2) All signage and identification for the mobile food unit shall be on or attached to
the vehicle. Menu items may be displayed on sandwich boards which are not attached
to the vehicle.
Page 3 of 7
(3) The hours of operation for any mobile food unit within the city limits shall be
limited to the following days and times:
(A) Monday through Thursday, and Sunday: 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
(B) Friday through Saturday: 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
(4) All food vending transactions shall occur from the vehicle
(5) No trash or grease shall be left at the site after departure of the mobile food unit,
except in existing on-site containers specifically designed for such waste.
(6) Vehicles, generators, and other equipment shall be maintained so as to be in
operable condition at all times.
(7) All generators shall have functional noise attenuation devices in order to
minimize noise pollution at temporary sites.
(8) Durable exterior -grade finishes and decorations shall be utilized for all exterior
materials on the vehicle and shall be maintained in accordance with minimum property,
structural and health standards.
(9) All mobile food units must park on an improved surface unless they are located
at an approved food truck park and subject to the park's conditions.
(10) No mobile food unit may be located on a vacant lots ngopVlqgi t q p
tine ad Limy n ,,,,p g w4 ., f0>� m�r_o lar a j e _ t�n�,� r s,sLan.
(11) All mobile food units shall provide self-closing lidded trash receptacles. The
trash receptacle must be placed outside next to the unit for use by patrons of the unit.
The area around the unit must be kept clean and free from litter, garbage, and debris.
(12) Any unauthorized connection to the water system and/or unauthorized dumping
of grease into the sanitary sewer system in conjunction with the operation of a mobile
food unit in any way is strictly prohibited and is unlawful.
(Ordinance 2019-017, sec. 2 (14-92), adopted 5/13/19; Ordinance adopting 2021 Code)
, u Sec. 5.07.094 Food truck parks
(a) Allowable locations operational requirements. The city shall allow for food truck parks as
an acceptable land use in accordance with section 8 of the zoning ordinance. A food truck park
shall be allowed by specific use permit (SUP) in the General Retail (GR), Commercial (C), Central
Lrme,41 ALLight Industrial (LI) and Heavy Industrial (HI) zoning districts. A food truck park shall
be considered a primary use on a property and therefore is subject to all development standards
applicable to the zoning of the property, including off-street parking requirements. All food truck
parks shall require a certificate of occupancy and be subject to the following requirements:
(1) Compliance with applicable regulations. All food truck parks shall comply with all
applicable regulations of the Lamar County Health District, adopted building codes,
Page 4 of 7
the International Fire Code, this article, and all other applicable federal state and local
laws. All food truck parks shall be on legally platted lots.
(2) Removal of units from site. All mobile food units shall be removed from the food
truck park upon closing of the park for the season or, if the food truck service is
closed for one Ll.LyKqek or iywre.
(3) On-site manager. There must be a designated manager of the site that is
responsible for the orderly organization of mobile food units, the cleanliness of the site,
and the site's compliance with all rules and regulations during business hours.
(4) Utility service required. Each site at the food truck court on which a food truck
will be located and operated shall be provided hookups for electricity and potable
water. Each individual food truck is not permitted to operate a generator at the site
unless emergency circumstances necessitate the need for the use of a generator on
a temporary basis not to exceed two hours within any given six-hour period of time.
(5) Restrooms. Re;LmaFie4;t—+Restrooms
str-uskwp must be provided on-site within the food truck court for the use of the food
trucks' and the food truck court's customers, operators and employees. The minimum
number and type of restrooms shall be determined based on the occupant load of the
food truck court. Such restroom(s) must remain open and available for use at all times
during which the food truck court is being used. When permanent or temporary
restrooms are p[c g _MgML . . d str ct
he Lvidg. _p]y wi.Lh I Le:, �L !LqLb qqh�gJ
t
_12y a!1a_kL2oim _q L _tjLq
s
Lq_1qcg't2d iLftLih and I b -ful within a I creenin.genolo sure on
all sides and shall be se ryice d_.gLrLg.,r29m1qr has! S. All oo restL _p1 , L .qanent or
Lem ma ma-ME AE.A2AI, QmR _ILA Wt.r-hall-be-a4lowed;
(6) Development standards. Food truck parks may be stand-alone establishments
or may be located on a property with other permanent uses (i.e., retail establishments).
These properties shall be designed to be able to accommodate all required
development standards for all primary uses.
(7) Sale of alcoholic beverages. Food truck parks that are eligible to sell alcohol
may do so provided they meet the requirements of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage
Code, the state alcoholic beverage commission and the city code. Alcohol shall only
be sold from a fixed location.
(8) Parking surface. Mobile food units shall not be parked on unimproved surfaces
and at a minimum be parked on compacted gravel base, where approved by the
planning and zoning commission.
(9) Signs. One on-premises sign is permitted at the entrance(s) identifying the food
truck park subject to the sign regulations for the applicable zoning district. Each mobile
food unit may have attached signage.
(10) Distance requirements (property line measurement). A food truck park shall not
be less than 100 feet from another food truck park.
Page 5 of 7
(11) Screening and buffering. Food truck parks adjacent to single-family zoned or
used property (not including a mixed-use structure) shall provide screening and
buffering.
(12) Off-street Parking. All food truck parks not located in the Central Area District
shall provide off-street parking. Off-street parking may be provided by way of shared
or joint off-site parking arrangements within 1,000 feet of the park.
(13) Seating and other amenities. Park owners are encouraged to provide for an
aesthetically pleasing environment which includes shade and seating elements in
addition to pervious ground cover.
(14) Noise regulations. All food truck parks shall comply with the noise regulations
in the city code.
(15) Floodplain regulations. All food truck parks shall comply with adopted floodplain
regulations.
(b) Site plan requirements. The site plan required for a food truck park shall provide the
following information for review:
(1) The land area included within the property, the zoning classification of adjacent
properties, and all public and private rights-of-way and easements bounding and
intersecting the site;
(2) A legal description of the platted lots of the proposed site and boundaries thereof;
(3) The locations of proposed permanent structures on the site and pads for mobile
food units, and identification of proposed outdoor entertainment locations and fixed
seating areas;
(4) Location, width, and surface material of driving lanes and mobile food unit pads;
(5) Location of fire hydrants;
(6) Dimensions and number of off-site parking spaces;
(7) Pedestrian walks, patios, and open areas for use by tenants or the public;
(8) Location, height, and materials of all screening mechanisms;
(9) Location, size, height, and orientation of all lighting and signs;
(10) Location and number of provided seating and eating areas;
(11) Location and screening of refuse containers, mechanical equipment, and
outside storage;
(12) All proposed phasing of the park (if applicable);
(13) Location, height, and separation of buildings, including restrooms;
Page 6 of 7
(14) Location, size, and type of water and sewer services;
(15) Location of electrical services;
(16) Location and type of electrical outlets provided for each corresponding pad site;
(17) Any other items required by the planning and zoning commission and the city
council.
(Ordinance 2019-017, sec. 2 (14-93), adopted 5/13/19)
Page 7 of 7