LYNNWOOD—Lynnwood City Council reviewed a draft ordinance that, if approved, would create a streamlined process for mobile food vendors operating in Lynnwood, in addition to passing three proclamations recognizing the National Day of Prayer, Older Americans Month, and Public Service Recognition Week, at its Business Meeting Monday, April 27.
Mobile Food Vendor Permitting
The main agenda item Monday dealt with issuance of mobile food vendor permits, particularly a draft ordinance that would add clarifying language to the Lynnwood Municipal Code (Title 5: Business Regulations and Licenses) and Lynnwood Municipal Code (Title 8 Unified Development Code) to create a streamlined process for mobile food vendors in Lynnwood.
Lynnwood’s LMC regarding mobile food vendors is currently unclear, contradictory, and overcomplicated, the city says, creating a process where applicants do not have a clear path to obtaining a license or permit. This has led to many vendors applying for a license, having the license stall, and operating without a permit.
“Currently applicants do not have a clear path to obtaining a license or permit. This is because the old code created a lot of different situations such as loops or dead ends where they were unable to obtain a permit” said Lynnwood Urban Planner Brian Kirk Monday. “This means that many people operate their mobile food units without a permit in the city. By loops I mean the code would have situations where the code would say you have to go to point B, then it sends you to point A, then it would say the opposite and send you back to point B, or send you to a section where it would say food permits are not permitted under this code. And after you got your permit it was unclear how you were supposed to operate and where.”
City Staff wanted to streamline the process moving forward, to not only allow staff ease of access in reviewing applicants, but to streamline the application process to the public.
The city launched a Mobile Food Vendor Survey (on April 21, 2026), and one prior conversation with City Council on April 9, to gather feedback.
A popular comment from the 144 responses the city received from the survey was to implement Food Truck Pods and food truck incubator sites.
The solution to streamlining permitted, based on the survey results, is to have two different permits, one site-specific and another non-site specific.
All mobile food vendors would first obtain a business permit. They could then opt for a Special Event Permit (meaning they would not have to obtain a mobile food vendor permit) or obtain a Mobile Food Vendor Permit (Site-Specific or Non-Site Specific), then finally go towards a one-step process moving toward approval. Fire inspections would be conducted as a final step.
In the draft ordinance the section regarding Mobile Food Vendors would be moved to the Land Use Code so it functions as a license, coordinating definitions, and simplifies application materials to create a clear process – updating general code requirements.
The fee for a mobile food permit is proposed to be $410. This would be a one-time fee in addition to a business license fee. As proposed, this fee would be paid again should a food vendor move to a site for more than 90 days to cover review times.
Another option is to follow the City of Everett, which has two different fees (in addition to a reoccurring fee) of $100.
Karl Almgran, Lynnwood City Planner, said this fee goes toward staff hours used for inspections, application review, and ensuring things like grease aren’t being improperly disposed.
The Council will consider adopting the ordinance at its meeting on May 11.
Proclamations
Councilwoman Isabel Mata first read the proclamation recognizing the National Day of Prayer, stating:
“What makes us strong is not just one singular belief system but the freedom of people of all faiths to coexist with mutual respect. This diversity is a defining strength, and which is also why the separation between church and state is so important. It protects our government from religious influence and our religious communities from government overreach. As public officials it’s our responsibility to uphold that balance and ensure no single belief system is elevated above others,” said Councilwoman Mata. “In doing so we ensure that everyone in our community feels equally valued, respected and represented.”
Councilman David Parshall read the next proclamation recognizing Older Americans Month, and Councilwoman Chelsea Wright read the next proclamation recognizing Public Service Recognition Week.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
