The purpose of this chapter is to allow for food carts to be placed long-term within specified zoning districts. Food cart pods, which are defined in Chapter 18.100.200, can provide opportunities to enliven underused lots, allow entrepreneurship at a small scale, and provide unique eating establishments and gathering places for the community.

(Ord. No. 1419, § 3(Exh. A), 3-28-2024)

A.

The provisions of this chapter apply to food cart pods, defined as sites with one or more permanent food carts.

B.

Food cart pod sites may also include new or existing buildings as defined in Chapter 18.100.012 and such integrated sites are also subject to the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 1419, § 3(Exh. A), 3-28-2024)

The following are exempt from the provisions of this chapter:

A.

Food carts that leave the site on which they are located outside of operating hours.

B.

Food carts operated as part of a farmers' market, festival, or other special event.

C.

A single, permanent food cart located on a developed site where:

a.

The food cart and any associated furnishings do not eliminate required off-street parking spaces or encroach upon drive aisles; and

b.

The food cart complies with all applicable Clark County Public Health requirements.

This section does not exempt the food carts described herein from obtaining a City of Ridgefield mobile vendor license.

(Ord. No. 1419, § 3(Exh. A), 3-28-2024)

A.

Food cart pods previously approved under a Type II temporary use permit and operational when this chapter goes into effect are subject to Type I minor site plan review.

B.

New food cart pods are subject to Type II basic site plan review.

C.

Food cart pods with Type II basic site plan approval may increase the number of designated cart spaces within the approved development site using a Type I minor site plan review process.

D.

The review authority shall make findings of fact based on evidence provided by the applicant demonstrating that the applicable criteria of this chapter have been satisfied.

(Ord. No. 1419, § 3(Exh. A), 3-28-2024)

Food cart pods shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 18.205—Uses.

(Ord. No. 1419, § 3(Exh. A), 3-28-2024)

Food cart pods shall comply with the lot area and lot width requirements of the zone in which they are located.

(Ord. No. 1419, § 3(Exh. A), 3-28-2024)

A.

New buildings are subject to the height and setback requirements of the zone in which they are located with the following modifications:

1.

Maximum front and street side setbacks do not apply.

B.

Individual food carts are not subject to setbacks but may not be placed in required landscape buffers.

C.

Individual food carts shall maintain a minimum five-foot separation from any other food cart or structure.

D.

Food cart pods are subject to the maximum impervious surface requirements of the zone in which they are located.

(Ord. No. 1419, § 3(Exh. A), 3-28-2024)

A.

Site and building design.

1.

The building design standards of the zone in which the food cart pod is located apply to:

a.

New buildings.

b.

The addition to or remodel of an existing building that increases the square footage of the building by at least twenty percent.

c.

The addition to or remodel of an existing building where the construction valuation is at least fifty percent of the existing site and building valuation.

2.

In the Central Mixed Use (CMU) district, food cart pods incorporating and preserving the character of an existing historic building are exempt from the requirements of 1(b) and 1(c) subject to approval by the Community Development Director.

3.

Covered seating areas are encouraged. Where provided:

a.

Covers shall be permanently installed and meet applicable building code requirements. Pop up shelters are not permitted.

b.

Covers shall incorporate exposed wood beams.

4.

Site furnishings such as tables, chairs, and benches shall be durable, designed for heavy public use, and well-maintained.

5.

Individual waste receptacles for public use shall be located in areas of the site accessible to customers and shall be well-maintained.

6.

Attachments to individual food carts such as awnings or canopies shall be supported entirely by the food cart.

7.

Electrical cords or hoses connected to a food cart shall be routed in such a manner that they do not cross walkways and do not create a tripping hazard.

B.

Surfacing.

1.

All food carts shall be placed on a hard surface area, such as concrete, asphalt or compacted gravel.

2.

The site shall be ADA compliant. Per ADA standards, hardened materials such as concrete, asphalt, compacted gravel, tile, and wood are sufficiently firm and stable for accessibility and may be used for walkways.

3.

New impervious surface area is subject to applicable stormwater requirements.

C.

Service areas.

1.

Service areas, outdoor storage, mechanical units, and utility equipment shall be located and screened to minimize negative visual impacts from the public right-of-way, within the site, and from adjacent users.

2.

Garbage and recycling collection areas, not including individual trash receptacles for public use, shall be enclosed, covered, and located to minimize negative visual impacts from the public right-of-way, within the site, and from adjacent users.

a.

Enclosures shall be complementary in design to any buildings on the site and provide eighty percent year-round opacity.

b.

Enclosures shall comply with applicable stormwater management requirements to prevent nonstormwater discharge from entering the stormwater drainage system.

D.

Sanitation facilities.

1.

Sanitation facilities are subject to Clark County Public Health (CCPH) review including but not limited to the CCPH annual restroom agreement for alternative food establishments.

2.

Where feasible, permanent restrooms and handwashing facilities shall serve food cart pods. Restrooms may be located in a new or existing building on the site or within five hundred feet off-site subject to an agreement between property owners.

3.

If the applicant demonstrates that permanent restrooms are not feasible, portable restrooms and hand-washing facilities are permitted but shall not drain to the surface. Such facilities shall be located to minimize negative impacts to the public right-of-way, within the site, and to adjacent users.

E.

Signs. Signs are permitted according to the provisions of Chapter 18.710.

F.

Lighting. Lighting shall comply with the requirements of the zone in which the food cart pod is located.

G.

Off-street parking and loading. Off-street parking and loading shall comply with the requirements of the zone in the which the food cart pod is located.

H.

Landscaping.

1.

CMU zone.

a.

A five-foot landscape buffer with screening at the L3 standard or equivalent is required adjacent to residential uses.

b.

In lieu of traditional in-ground landscaping, the applicant may provide alternative landscape screening methods such as planter boxes provided the applicant demonstrates how the alternative methods provide effective screening and enhance the design of the food cart pod.

2.

Other zones.

a.

Landscaping shall comply with the requirements of the zone in which the food cart pod is located.

3.

The developer shall install interior landscaping outside of required landscape buffers at a rate of one planter per food cart or equivalent.

4.

Landscaping shall be maintained per Chapter 18.725.090.

I.

Fences. Fences shall comply with the requirements of the zone in which the food cart pod is located.

(Ord. No. 1419, § 3(Exh. A), 3-28-2024)