Sioux Center’s new ordinance provides for continuing to welcome food trucks to the community, promote safety, and continue fair competition.
The new ordinance goes into effect Aug. 20, 2022, and helps ensure food trucks are in a location that is safe and appropriate for traffic and pedestrians. It also lays out general guidelines like having food truck operators provide garbage cans and remove all trash each day, and it gives an opportunity to check their state food license before they begin selling food to people.
“Food vendors add to the quality-of-life options in Sioux Center,” said Building Official Josh Dorhout. “We are excited to work with food trucks as we see their numbers and interest in their services grow here.”
The ordinance is designed to provide more consistency with what is required for other businesses to operate within the community and is similar to existing food truck plans in other communities, including Spirit Lake, Spencer, and Storm Lake. Sioux Center’s City Council approved the third and final reading of the ordinance Monday.
Vendors can apply for a permit for the calendar year (with a $150 fee) or for a single event of one day ($25 fee) or up to three days ($50 fee). A vendor’s permit will cover all locations they plan to be at during those time frames. Public feedback helped guide the fee amounts, including adding a single-day permit. With the ordinance taking effect in late summer, this year’s annual fee will be prorated, Dorhout said.
“This process is designed to be a fast track for food truck owners to get their local permit, done within three business days,” Dorhout said. “We wanted to keep it simple and also do our due diligence and make sure food trucks coming into town are operated safely.”