LYNNWOOD — Food trucks could be coming to Lynnwood.
The City Council recently signed off on staff drawing up some new rules for review.
The current codes don’t mention food trucks. In the past, operators have obtained permits for special events, mostly in public parks, city spokeswoman Julie Moore said.
People have been saying they want to see more food trucks in Lynnwood, said Paul Krauss, the city’s community development director.
Cities around Snohomish County have varying rules for food trucks, though some are in the same situation as Lynnwood, without specifics. Snohomish is exploring the idea of allowing more food trucks, and there are plans for a food truck court in the Machias area north of Snohomish.
A successful food truck can bring in as much as $50,000 a year, according to a Lynnwood City Council memo. In 2014, the city of Portland, Oregon, approved more than 800 food truck permits. That city’s downtown has a food truck court that stretches several blocks.
New rules for Lynnwood could promote small businesses, increase ethnic food options and help struggling commercial areas, according to the council memo.
City staff have been talking about the idea for years, Krauss said. Food truck courts can reinvent areas that look deserted, and be a fun place to hang out at night.
“They get more street life, more good street life, activity on the street that benefits other businesses,” he said.
The mayor’s office held a breakfast recently for the Hispanic community.
“I was approached by several people after that meeting who asked, ‘When are we going to be able to make progress on food trucks?’?” Krauss said. “One of Lynnwood’s strengths is we’re a culturally diverse community.”
What’s undecided is whether to allow the trucks on private property, in public parking spaces, or both. Any zoning likely will fall within the City Center area, near where 196th Street SW meets I-5.
“We’re not talking about 196th Street,” Krauss said. “We’re talking about the side streets.”
The planning commission hopes to bring the issue back to council in March or April.
“We could well have the possibility of food trucks in spring and summer. We’ll see what the market is,” he said.
Many local cities that allow the trucks require a business license and multiple permits, with bans on overnight parking. There is additional oversight from the Snohomish Health District and the state Department of Labor and Industries.
The health district, which serves all of the county, has approved 58 annual permits and 128 temporary permits for food trucks in 2015, spokeswoman Heather Thomas said. The numbers have been fairly steady in recent years.
In Everett, a food truck owner needs permission from the police chief to operate, city spokeswoman Meghan Pembroke said. The trucks are mostly banned in the blocks around Xfinity Arena, at least from on-street parking. They’re also not allowed within 250 feet of any Everett restaurant, unless the other business gives written permission. They can’t set up shop in one place for long without a special permit.
The rules last were changed in 2003, around the time the new arena was going to open, and traffic was a concern, documents show.
In Snohomish, there isn’t a specific policy for food trucks. However, other rules — including a ban on parking along a street to hawk goods — effectively prohibit them except for special events, Planning Director Owen Dennison said. Coffee stands and construction trailers have similar restrictions, designed to mitigate waste, traffic problems and complaints about hours of operation.
The Snohomish City Council in September expressed interest in new codes for food trucks, though another discussion hasn’t been scheduled, Dennison said.
Meanwhile, Sultan welcomes food trucks and has seen a few visit in recent years, Permit Assistant Cyd Sparks said.
Multiple people have asked about the city hosting food truck rodeos. “That would be having 10 or so trucks come in for a day or weekend and sell food,” she said.
On the Tulalip Indian Reservation, a popular taco truck can be found near the intersection of Marine Drive NE and 27th Avenue NE. However, the strict rules within the Quil Ceda Village retail area to the east show just how complicated the issue can prove. In the village, food trucks are not allowed unless the owner already has a business in the village, most of the food preparation is done in the primary business, and sales are conducted on their leased property, tribal officials said.
Another fun fact: Under health district rules, the trucks can’t cook any pieces of meat thicker than an inch.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.
Cities and food trucks
Food truck rules vary around Snohomish County, in addition to state- and county-level requirements regarding food preparation and labor. Many cities require a business license and multiple permits.
Arlington: Allowed with restrictions, can’t stay in one place long-term.
Bothell: Allowed, with restrictions.
Brier: Nowhere to park.
Edmonds: Allowed, with restrictions.
Everett: Allowed in most locations outside of downtown, with the permission of the police chief.
Granite Falls: Allowed in the commercial zone, with restrictions.
Lake Stevens: Allowed for special events.
Lynnwood: Allowed for special events.
Marysville: Allowed to go site-to-site, can’t stay in one place long-term.
Monroe: Allowed, with restrictions.
Mountlake Terrace: Allowed, with restrictions.
Mukilteo: Allowed, with restrictions.
Snohomish: Mostly prohibited except for special events.
Stanwood: Allowed, though only have been seen at special events.
Sultan: Allowed, with restrictions.
Unincorporated Snohomish County: Generally allowed.
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