HomeMy WebLinkAboutLL 02 of 2022 Food Trucks Ch 202 STATE OF NEW YORK
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
ONE COMMERCE PLAZA KATHY HOCHUL
99 WASHINGTON AVENUE GOVERNOR
ALBANY,NY 12231-Ml ROBERT J. RODRIGUEZ
HTTFS://00S.NY.GOV ACTING SECRETARY OF STATE
March 2, 2022
Paulina Rosa
Town of Ithaca Clerk
Town Clerk's Office
215 N Tioga Street
Ithaca NY 14850
RE: Town of Ithaca, Local Law 1, 2, 3, 4 2022, filed on February 22 2022
Dear Sir/Madam:
The above referenced material was filed by this office as indicated. Additional
local law filing forms can be obtained from our website, www.dos,ny.-goy.
Sincerely,
State Records and Law Bureau
(518) 473-2492
qMEJ'WYORK
$TATE OF Department
P,
OPPORTUNITY. of State
TOWN OF ITHACA
NEW YORK
TOWN CLERKS' OFFICE
Paulette Rosa,Town Clerk& Becky Jordan, Deputy Town Clerk
215 N Tioga St 14850
607.273 1721 townderk@town Ithaca ny us
February 16, 2022
State Records Unit
Department of State
One Commerce Plaza
99 Washington Ave,
Albany, NY 12231
To Whom It May Concern,
Enclosed please find Town of Ithaca Local Laws 1, 2, 3 & 4 for the year 2022:
#1 A Local Law Authorizing A Monetary Gift To The City Of Ithaca To Support Cass Park And
Stewart Park Recreational Facilities
#2 A Local Law Adding Chapter 202 To The Town Of Ithaca Code, Title "Food Trucks"
#3 A Local Law Amending Chapter 270 of the Town of Ithaca Code, Adding Provisions
Regarding Barns On Non-Farm Lots, Agritourism, And Seasonal Farm Lodging Facilities In The
Agricultural Zone
#4 A Local Law Amending Chapter 250 Cif The Town of Ithaca Code, Titled " Vehicles And
Traffic", By Adding Stop Signs At The Forest Home DriveiArboretum Road Intersection
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Sinco4" .11-
q,
Paulette Rosa
Town Clerk
TOWN OF ITHACA
LOCAL LAW 2 OF THE YEAR 2022
A LOCAL LAW ADDING CHAPTER 202 TO THE TOWN OF ITHACA CODE,
TITLED "FOOD TRUCKS"
Be it enacted by the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca as follows:
Section 1. The Town of Ithaca Code is hereby amended by adding Chapter 202, titled
"Food Trucks,"reading as follows:
"§ 202-1 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to regulate food trucks within the Town of Ithaca in a manner that
protects the public health, safety, and welfare, while also providing a degree of flexibility for
additional food vendors and sales. This chapter describes the permitting procedures for food
trucks and is intended to operate in conjunction with the regulations of Chapter 125 entitled
"Building Construction and Fire Prevention".
§ 202-2 Definitions.
The following terms shall, for the purposes of this chapter, have the meanings herein indicated:
Artisan Studio
Establishment where people make art or products by hand, using handheld tools or
tabletop/benchtop equipment.
Commercial recreation: indoor or outdoor
Establishment or facility that is not part of a civic use, that provides an indoor or outdoor
recreation or entertainment-oriented activity to the public with or without a fee, as an
ongoing principal use. Examples of activities that may be part of this use include: indoor
fun center, bowling center, video/game arcade, laser tag,paintball, airsoft, movie theater,
downhill skiing, cross country skiing, swimming pool, tennis court.
Food truck
A mobile food service operation located in a licensed motorized vehicle or a movable
cart, stand, or trailer and from which food is prepared and/or cooked for purposes of
selling or distributing in individual portions to the general public directly from the
vehicle, cart, stand or trailer for consumption on or off of the premises.
Food truck operator
Any person owning or having control of the use of a food truck, including their respective
employees and agents.
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Industrial use: low impact
Manufacture mostly from previously prepared materials, preparation, processing, or repair
of products for distribution or sale; with no detectible offsite impacts.
Person
Any individual, association, organization,partnership, firm, corporation or other entity
recognized by law.
Private club/lodge
Facility of a nonprofit private club or organization, mostly open only to club members
and their guests. (Examples: service or lodge-based organization, social club, veterans'
club, labor union.)
Professional office
Establishment that provides professional, administrative, clerical, outpatient medical or
allied health care, veterinary, or technology services.
Research/laboratory
Establishment conducting scientific research, investigation, testing, or experimentation.
It may also include related manufacture or sale of products incidental to the main purpose
of the laboratory.
Retail and service: general
Establishment that sells or rents a physical or intangible product to the public or provides
a service to customers onsite.
Restaurant/cafe bar
Establishment that prepares and serves meals or drinks to customers onsite or delivery
offsite.
School: primary/secondary
NYS recognized school for primary or secondary(K-12) education
School: college/university/vocational
NYS recognized school for post-secondary, graduate, doctoral, professional, or
vocational education.
§ 202-3 Permit required.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a food truck within the Town of Ithaca
outside the Village of Cayuga Heights without having obtained a food truck permit in
accordance with the provisions of this chapter. The use of vehicles that fall under the
New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code's definition of"mobile
Adopted on 2022-02-14
food preparation vehicles" also requires an operating permit, in accordance with the
provisions of Town Code § 125-8.
B. Any person desiring to operate a food truck shall make a written application for a food
truck permit to the Town of Ithaca Code Enforcement Department. The application for a
permit shall be made on forms provided by the Town of Ithaca and shall include the
following information:
(1) Name, signature, telephone number, e-mail address, home address, and business
address of the food truck operator, including the owner of the food truck.
(2) A description and photograph of the food truck, including the license plate and
registration number(where applicable), and dimensions (length and width).
(3) A valid copy of the Tompkins County Health Department permit for a mobile food
service operation.
(4) Address of the property the food truck will be located on and name of the property
owner.
(5) Written documentation that the applicant has been provided authorization from the
property owner for the operation and location of the food truck on the property.
(6) A sketch plan including details sufficient to demonstrate compliance with this
chapter.
(7) Required application fee in accordance with the fee schedule established by the
Town Board.
C. The Code Enforcement Officer shall approve and issue a food truck permit if.
(1) The applicant demonstrates compliance with the requirements of this chapter;
(2) The required food truck permit fee has been paid; and
(3) No notices of violation are pending on the property.
D. Food truck permits may be issued to operate on an approved location on a tax parcel for
up to 180 days per calendar year, in accordance with this chapter. Permits expire on the
food truck's 180th day of operation in a calendar year, or on December 31 of the year for
which it was issued, whichever is earlier. If a food truck is operated in conjunction with
a restaurant, and the food truck and restaurant are owned by the same person, there shall
be no limit on the number of days of operation and the permit shall expire on December
31 of the year for which it was issued. Permittees who wish to have a permit for the
Adopted on 2022-02-14
subsequent calendar year must submit a new application pursuant to the provisions of
this section.
E. A permit is effective upon approval by the Code Enforcement Officer.
F. A food truck permit is not transferable.
§ 202-4 Siting.
A. Food trucks permitted under this chapter shall only be located on private property,
unless otherwise approved/permitted in accordance with this chapter.
B. Food trucks may operate only in conjunction with the following principal uses:
• Agricultural use, which may include agricultural retail sales
• Veterinary hospital/clinic
• Private club/lodge
• Farm retreat
• Adult care facility
• Child day-care center
• Research facilities principally dedicated to research in agriculture or animal
husbandry
• Clinic and nursing or convalescent home or elder care center
• Equestrian facility
• Church or other places of worship
• School: primary/secondary
• School: college/university/vocational
• Public library
• Public museum
• Nursery school
• Hospital
• Fire station, emergency medical services, or other public building necessary to
the protection of or the servicing of a neighborhood
• Roadside stand
• Retail and service: general
• Artisan Studio
• Bank
• Professional Office
• Hotel or motel
• Commercial Recreation: indoor or outdoor
• Restaurant/cafe/bar
• Vehicle fuel sales station
• Farmers Market
• Boat harbor and marina
• Visitor center for tourists
Adopted on 2022-02-14
• Research/laboratory
• Indoor warehousing and indoor storage facilities
• Industrial use: low impact
• Medical Offices or services
C. Food trucks may only be sited on the property at the location designated on the
permit.
D. Food trucks shall be located a minimum of 15 feet from a side yard or rear yard
property line, when the parcel is located within or contiguous to a residential zoning
district. This minimum required distance does not apply to a side yard or rear yard
property line that abuts a private street.
E. Food trucks shall be located a minimum of five feet from the edge of any driveway,
utility box or vault, mobility ramp, building entrance, exit or emergency access/exit
way.
F. Food trucks must be located in a location that ensures adequate ingress and egress
from the property to prevent traffic congestion or safety hazards.
G. Food trucks must be located so as to not obstruct or interfere with the free flow of
pedestrian or vehicular traffic, not restrict visibility at any driveway or intersection,
and not unreasonably interfere with the activities of other businesses or otherwise
interfere with other lawful activities or violate any statutes, ordinances, laws or
regulations.
H. Food truck operators must demonstrate that a minimum of four parking spaces are
available on the lot (or on an immediately adjacent lot with the adjacent lot owner's
written permission) to serve the food truck, and that such spaces are not otherwise
reserved, encumbered, or designated to satisfy the off-street parking requirement of
another business or activity that is operating at the same time as the food truck
operation.
L Food trucks must be located at minimum 100 feet away from the entrance of a brick-
and-mortar restaurant unless the food truck is operated or owned by the same person
who owns said brick and mortar restaurant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a food
truck may be located on the brick-and-mortar restaurant's lot with consent of the
brick and mortar restaurant owner.
§ 202-5 Operations.
A. Food truck operators shall maintain a valid Tompkins County Health Department
permit for a mobile food service operation and shall operate the food truck in
Adopted on 2022-02-14
conformance with all applicable health standards.
B. The following shall be conspicuously posted in public view on the food truck at all
times: the Tompkins County Health Department permit; the Town of Ithaca food truck
permit; and (if applicable) the Town of Ithaca operating permit.
C. Signage. All food trucks shall be permitted a single freestanding sign not greater than
six square feet in size, which may be placed only when the food truck is in operation
and shall be located on the same tax parcel as the food truck. Additional signs are
allowed as follows:
(1) There shall be no limit on the size or number of signs affixed to or located on
the food truck.
(2) Signs affixed to food trucks shall not be mounted perpendicular to the food
truck and shall not protrude beyond the edges of the food truck.
D. Food truck operators shall provide trash and recycling receptacles within 10 feet of
their food truck. A food truck operator is responsible for the proper processing of
waste, trash and recyclable materials associated with the operation of the food truck.
Operators shall remove all waste, trash and recyclable materials from their approved
locations at the end of each day or more frequently as needed to maintain the health
and safety of the public. The food truck operator shall keep all areas, including any
associated seating areas, clean of grease, trash, paper, used cups or cans associated
with the operation. No liquid waste or grease shall be disposed in or on streams,
wetlands, storm drains, lawns, sidewalks, streets, or other public space or in septic
tanks not equipped with a grease trap. Liquid waste and grease disposal into the
sanitary sewers may occur only with written approval of the Ithaca Area Wastewater
Treatment Facility and in accordance with all laws, rules and regulations regarding
such disposal.
E. Any lighting provided shall comply with Town Code Chapter 173 titled Lighting,
Outdoor.
F. Tents are prohibited. Awnings are only permitted if they are attached to the food truck.
Umbrellas are only permitted if they are attached to a table.
G. The food truck operation shall comply with Town Code Chapter 184 titled Noise.
H. Food trucks shall comply with Town Code Chapter 205 titled Property Maintenance.
Adopted on 2022-02-14
L Food trucks and associated outdoor seating, if any, shall be removed from all
permitted locations upon expiration or revocation of the permit.
§ 202-6 Exceptions.
A. Special permit procedure for public property. The Town Board may, from time to time
by resolution, establish procedures for issuance of permits to locate food trucks on
Town-owned property, and such permits, if authorized by the Town in its discretion,
shall not be subject to § 202-3.1), and §§ 202-4.13, H and L Such special permit shall be
issued in accordance with the process identified in Subsection B below.
B. Special event, residential block event, neighborhood celebration/festival, or private
residence event. The Town Board may,by resolution, authorize Town Code
Enforcement Officers to issue a food truck permit in a residential neighborhood or at a
residential property for a special event, a residential block event, a neighborhood
celebration/festival, or a food truck event at a private residence. Such permit shall only
be valid for the period of time identified by the Town Board and shall not be subject to §
202-3.1), and §§ 2024A, B, H and L The Town Board shall only authorize said food
truck permit after consultation with the Director of Public Works and the Director of
Code Enforcement and pursuant to the following procedure.
(1) Such permit may be granted in those circumstances where the applicant
demonstrates that on balance the need for and benefits of the food truck permit
outweigh the needs and rights of the surrounding neighbors to a peaceable and
quiet environment. In determining whether to grant a food truck permit, the Town
Board shall consider factors including but not limited to: the volume of the noise;
volume of increased traffic; the proximity of the food truck to sleeping facilities;
the time of day or night the food truck operates; the time duration of the food
truck operation; the impact of the food truck operation on persons living or
working in different places or premises who are affected by the food truck
operation; whether food truck operations create more noise, fumes, illumination,
or other potential nuisances than the operation of any permitted use in the
particular zone; and whether the site layout with the proposed food truck
operations will safely accommodate vehicular,bicycle and pedestrian access,
traffic circulation, parking facilities, and emergency vehicle access.
i. Permit procedure, fee.
1. An application for such a permit shall be filed with the Town Clerk
no less than 21 days before the anticipated need and shall provide
the following information:
a. The name of the applicant.
Adopted on 2022-02-14
b. The name (if any) of the food truck as identified on the
vehicle, cart, stand, or trailer, and the name of the food
truck operator for compliance with the permit, if different
from the applicant, which shall also sign the application
and agree to be responsible for compliance with the permit
terms and any conditions attached to the permit.
c. Plans, specifications, and layout of the food truck
operation.
d. Abatement and control methods to be used for the food
truck operation to reduce the impact on the surrounding
areas, if necessary.
e. Date and time schedule that the food truck operation will
occur.
f. Such other information as the Town Clerk and/or Town
Board may reasonably require to adequately consider the
permit request.
(2) The Town Board may in its sole discretion waive the application filing
requirement of 21 days upon good cause shown or for other unique, special or
extenuating circumstances.
(3) At the time of the filing of the permit application or applications, the applicant
shall pay the Town a nonrefundable fee as set from time to time by Town Board
resolution.
(4) Applications may be submitted simultaneously by a single person, representative
or agent thereof for food truck operations occurring at a single address within a
consecutive six-month period. Food truck operations of a similar scope may be
listed on one application. All applications shall be reviewed, and determinations
shall be rendered on each application. The Town Board may make different
decisions and impose different conditions on individual food truck operations
contained within an application for multiple food truck operations.
(5) A public hearing before the Town Board shall be held in connection with the
application no less than five days after publication of notice of such hearing in the
Town's official newspaper. The issuance of permits shall be discretionary. The
Town Board may impose any conditions deemed necessary by such Board to
minimize the impacts that might occur by the exercise of the privileges granted by
Adopted on 2022-02-14
the food truck permit. If a permit is issued, a copy of the permit stipulating any
and all conditions imposed by the Town Board shall be furnished to the Tompkins
County Sheriffs Department and the Tompkins County Health Department by the
Town Clerk, simultaneously upon the issuance of the permit to the applicant.
(6) The Town Board may, in its sole discretion, waive the holding of a public hearing
upon good cause shown or for other unique, special or extenuating circumstances.
(7) Where applicable, the food truck operator shall also apply for a noise permit
pursuant to Town Code Chapter 184, titled Noise.
§ 202-7 Violations.
A. Any of the following shall constitute a violation of this chapter:
(1) Failure to properly obtain and/or properly display a valid food truck permit.
(2) Fraud or misrepresentation contained in the permit application.
(3) Fraud or misrepresentation made in the course of operating the business.
(4) Conduct that creates a public nuisance, or otherwise constitutes a danger to the
public health, safety, welfare.
(5) Failure to comply with the food truck permit or any other provisions of this chapter.
§ 202-8 Suspension or revocation of a permit.
A. The Code Enforcement Officer may issue a notice of intent to suspend or revoke a food
truck permit for any violation. The notice of intent to suspend or revoke shall describe
the violation and require the permit holder to immediately correct the violation or cause
the violation to be corrected.
B. The notice of intent shall be provided to the permit holder by personal service,by
regular mail to the address submitted with the permit application, or by posting at the
place of business of the food truck.
C. If the permit holder fails to immediately correct the violation or cause the violation to be
corrected, the Code Enforcement Officer shall suspend or revoke the permit.
D. A permit holder shall be entitled to request a hearing on suspension or revocation before
the Town Board, upon application made to the Town Clerk demonstrating that the
permit holder was not in violation of the permit. Such hearing shall be requested, in
writing, with the request addressed to and received by the Town Clerk within five
business days of the permit holder's receipt of the notice of intent or of posting,
Adopted on 2022-02-14
whichever occurs earlier. Any suspension or revocation remains in effect unless
modified by the Town Board. Within 30 days of the permit holder's written request, the
Town Board shall hold a hearing to determine whether to reverse the suspension or
revocation. The Town Board shall issue its written decision within 15 days after the
hearing.
§ 202-9 Enforcement and administration
A. The requirements established by this chapter shall be administered and enforced by the
Town of Ithaca Code Enforcement Officer or their designee and such other employees
and/or officials authorized by the Town Board.
B. Whenever the Code Enforcement Officer finds that there has been a violation of this
chapter, or any rule or regulation issued in connection therewith, the Code Enforcement
Officer is authorized to order in writing the remedying of any condition or activity found
to exist in, on or about the food truck or its premises in violation of this chapter, or any
rule or regulation issued in connection therewith.
C. An order to remedy shall be in writing; identify the property or premises; specify the
condition or activity that violates this chapter, or any rule or regulation issued in
connection therewith; shall specify the provisions of this chapter or any rule or regulation
issued in connection therewith which are violated by the specified condition or activity;
shall include a statement that the violations must be corrected within seven days after the
date of the order to remedy; the order may direct the person served with the order to
begin to remedy the violation(s) immediately or within some other stated period of time
that can be less than seven days after the date of the order; direct that compliance be
achieved within the specified period of time; and shall state that an action or proceeding
to compel compliance and/or seek penalties, fines and/or imprisonment may be instituted
if compliance is not achieved within the specified period of time.
D. The order to remedy, or a copy thereof, may be served by personal service within five
days of when the inspection occurred and a violation was observed,by mailing by
registered or certified mail sent to the address set forth in the application for any permit
submitted to the Town or to the property address, or by posting a copy thereof on the
premises that are the subject of the order to remedy and mailing a copy, enclosed in a
prepaid wrapper, addressed to the last known address of the owner as set forth in the
Town of Ithaca records, or if none, in the most recent tax roll available to the Town of
Ithaca. The Code Enforcement Officer shall be permitted,but not required, to cause the
order to remedy, or a copy thereof, to be served on any property owner, food truck
operator, or any other person taking part or assisting in the operation of a food truck at
the affected property personally or by registered mail or certified mail; provided,
however, that failure to serve any person mentioned in this sentence shall not affect the
Adopted on 2022-02-14
efficacy of the order to remedy.
E. Pursuant to the provisions of Municipal Home Rule Law, § 10, Subdivision 4(a), and the
Criminal Procedure Law, § 150.10, Code Enforcement Officers of the Town of Ithaca are
hereby authorized to issue and serve appearance tickets, as defined in the Criminal
Procedure Law,returnable in Town Court of the Town of Ithaca, when they have
reasonable cause to believe a person has violated, in their presence, Chapter 202 of the
Code of the Town of Ithaca, entitled "Food Trucks," and to prosecute the violation in
Town Court.
§ 202-10 Penalties for offenses.
A. Any person who violates any provision of this chapter, any rule or regulation issued in
compliance therewith, any term or condition of any food truck permit, order to remedy,
or other notice or order issued by the Code Enforcement Officer pursuant to any
provision of this chapter, shall be liable for a fine of not less than $200, or imprisonment
not to exceed 15 days, or both. Each day such violation continues shall constitute a
separate violation.
B. Civil penalties. Any person who violates any provision of this chapter, any rule or
regulation issued in compliance therewith, any term or condition of any food truck
permit, order to remedy, or other notice or order issued by the Code Enforcement Officer
pursuant to any provision of this chapter shall be liable for a civil penalty of not more
than $200 for each day or part thereof during which such violation continues. The civil
penalties provided by this subsection shall be recoverable in an action instituted in the
name of the Town of Ithaca.
C. An action or proceeding in the name of the Town of Ithaca may be commenced in any
court of competent jurisdiction to prevent, restrain, enjoin, correct, or abate any violation
of, or to enforce, any provision of this chapter, or any rule or regulation issued in
connection therewith, or any term or condition of any food truck permit, order to remedy,
or other notice or order issued by the Code Enforcement Officer pursuant to any
provision of this chapter. Such remedy shall be in addition to penalties, fines and other
remedies otherwise prescribed by law.
D. Remedies Not Exclusive. No remedy, fine or penalty specified in this section shall be the
exclusive remedy, fine or penalty available to address any violation described in this
section, and each remedy, fine or penalty specified in this section shall be in addition to,
and not in substitution for or limitation of, the other remedies, fines or penalties specified
in this section, or in any other applicable law. Any remedy, fine or penalty specified in
this section may be pursued at any time, whether prior to, simultaneously with, or after
the pursuit of any other remedy, fine or penalty specified in this section, in any other
section of this chapter, or in any other applicable law.
E. Conviction of a violation of this chapter shall constitute and effect an immediate
forfeiture of any permit hereunder held by the person so convicted."
Adopted on 2022-02-14
Section 2. If any provision of this local law is found invalid by any court of competent
jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect any other provisions of this local law, which shall
remain in full force and effect.
Section 3. This local law shall take effect immediately upon filing with the New York Secretary
of State.
Adopted on 2022-02-14