ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUANCE:
MOBILE FOOD VENDING PILOT PROGRAM
Series/Number: AB-2023-02
Approved: 5/19/2023
Effective: 6/2/2023
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) protects the economic interests of residents, businesses, and visitors to the District of Columbia. DLCP was delegated the authority to coordinate all vending activities in the District and to administer the licensing and distribution of vending site permits for vending locations. See Section 11 of the Vending Regulation Act of 2009, effective October 22, 2009 (D.C. Law 18-71; D.C.Official Code § 37-131.10), Mayor’s Order 2010-91, dated May 27, 2010, and Mayor’s Order 2022-149, dated September 29, 2022.
Currently, there are four classes of vending business licenses: Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class D. Class A and Class C Licenses pertain to food vending. The Class A License authorizes a person to vend food and the Class C License authorizes a person to manage public markets for the sale of agricultural goods and other farm products. Holders of a Class A and C license must meet specific requirements, including provisions pertaining to the size of vehicles, hours of operations, and vending locations. These requirements have made it challenging for interested parties to bring more diverse vending models into the District not withstanding the public interest to do so.
Mayor Bowser has a longstanding commitment to equity and social justice, by encouraging innovative business models that serve the public interest, particularly regarding food insecurity in certain Wards within the District. To that end, DLCP is establishing a one-year Mobile Food Vending Pilot Program to allow for the issuance of temporary decals, which will serve as vending permits for pilot vehicles. The temporary decals will not exceed one year, and participants in the Pilot program shall fully comply with all requirements set forth within this Administrative Issuance (AI). Failure to comply with all requirements of this AI may result in the rescission of such decal. If the decal is rescinded, the participant may apply to vend through other existing vending class categories.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: To be eligible to participate in the Mobile Food Vending Pilot Program:
a. Applicant vendor must:
- Be at least 18 years of age;
- Hold a valid and current driver’s license;
- Hold current and valid vehicle registration for the Pilot vehicle;
- Maintain current Pilot vehicle insurance
- Provide a list of proposed sites of operation;
- Obtain a Health Inspection Approval from the Department of Health (DOH), Food Protection Division;
- Obtain a Certified Food Supervisor Certification from DOH, Health Regulation and Licensing Administration;
- Obtain a Fire Marshal Inspection Approval from the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services (FEMS), Fire Prevention Inspection Division;
- Obtain a Notice of Business Tax Registration from the Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) (if applicable);
- Obtain a Propane Operations Permit (if applicable) from FEMS, Fire Prevention Inspection Division; and
- Obtain a Certificate of Clean Hands from OTR
b. Driver must:
- Be at least 18 years of age; and
- Hold a valid and current driver’s license.
An applicant vendor not in good standing with the DC Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), including for outstanding parking tickets, is ineligible to participate in the program.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Each person applying to participate in the Mobile Food Vending Pilot Program shall submit a complete application package, through https://dcdcra.seamlessdocs.com/f/MFVPilotProgram.
AUTHORITY:
Section 11 of the Vending Regulation Act of 2009, effective October 22, 2009 (D.C. Law 18-71; D.C. Official Code § 37-131.10), Mayor’s Order 2010-91, dated May 27, 2010, and Mayor’s Order 2022-149, dated September 29, 2022.
