HILLARD, OH – Hilliard is poised to regulate food trucks by requiring their licensure and background checks for owners and employees.

A draft ordinance establishing requirements for food trucks was introduced Sept. 8 by Hilliard City Council’s public safety and legal affairs committee.

The proposed ordinance applies many of the same regulations City Council established for push-cart vendors three years ago, but the legislation is silent concerning food trucks, Law Director Tracy Bradford said.

Recreation and Parks Director Steve Mazer asked for the legislation to be introduced.

Mazer said food trucks are increasing in popularity and city officials determined a policy was necessary.

The proposed ordinance requires food trucks seeking to operate on public property to pass a health inspection and their owners and employees to pass criminal background checks.

The city would issue a permit that specifies the hours of operation and the vendor’s location, Bradford said.

The policy would not apply to private property, the school district, churches or corporate parks, Bradford said.

The legislation is intended to regulate food trucks at city events, Mazer said, such as the city’s Fall Festival and sporting events of the Hilliard Ohio Soccer Association at Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park.

“The Fall Festival and the city’s (Christmas) tree-lighting are a couple of first choices where we think a food truck would be successful and a nice amenity for our residents,” Mazer said.

The ordinance is scheduled for a first reading by Hilliard City Council at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22, at the Hilliard Municipal Building, 3800 Municipal Way.

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