City to roll out new food truck rules

FINDLAY — New rules for operating a food truck in Findlay may be in place by the spring, in time for the start of a new season. Findlay Service-Safety Director Rob Martin said city administrators are working on a proposal that should be available for council's review by February. Martin said the city is considering moving to a visible permit sticker system, making licensed and unlicensed trucks are easier to identify. Martin said the goal is to make the rules, penalties and licensing requirements as clear as possible. Councilman Joshua Palmer, R-7, first raised the issue in October 2023, asking for a review of the city's rules. Currently, food truck owners are required to obtain a solicitor's license to operate in the city, but Palmer said food trucks, which are regulated by Hancock Public Health, aren't going door-to-door. At Tuesday's council meeting, Councilwoman Holly Frische, R-1, asked about the status of the review. Findlay requires food trucks to register to ensure operators have the proper certifications and insurance. However, trucks do come into town and operate without being registered, Mayor Christina Muryn said. Food trucks must also have a vendor's license to operate in the city's parks and ballfields, approved by the Findlay Recreation Department. Food trucks must also obtain leased space on private property to operate in downtown Findlay. The city defines the downtown area as being bordered by Center Street and Lima Avenue, and East Street to West Street. The health department is responsible for ensuring the trucks are operating safely. Food trucks must follow the same rules in the Ohio food code as brick-and-mortar restaurants. Vehicles are inspected for safety issues including the temperature of the food, cleanliness and sanitizing of utensils. The health department requires anyone starting a new food truck to provide a plan, outlining the equipment they'll use and the truck's layout. The health department must also sign off on the menu. Staff then meet with the operators in the spring, at the start of the season, to make sure the trucks are properly equipped and clean. Inspections take place throughout the operating season and can be done unannounced.