The Seattle Department of Transportation’s (SDOT) has proposed plans to update their existing “safe starts” program. We wanted to highlight the proposed changes to vending, specifically food trucks.
SDOT’s proposal includes the following changes:
- Remove restrictions that prohibit vending within 50 feet of a brick-and-mortar business selling food or flowers.
- Remove limit of two vendors per block face, although SDOT will continue to review for adequate curb space loading and other site-specific factors before issuing permits.
- Remove restrictions on vending that prohibit applications in Neighborhood Residential zones and within 1,000 feet of high schools, although SDOT will review applications and may limit vending based on site context and based on feedback from nearby schools.
You can read more about the proposed changes for food trucks/vending here. These proposed changes along with the proposed changes to permit types for outdoor cafes, retail merchandise displays, food trucks, vending carts and fitness activities will be initially discussed at council committee on September 20.
For more information or to share any concerns about the proposed changes, please reach out to Austin Miller at austinm@wahospitality.org.