LYNNWOOD—It is now easier to obtain a mobile food vendor permit in the City of Lynnwood, thanks to an ordinance passed at the City Council’s Business Meeting on Monday, May 11.
The ordinance adds 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.
Prior to the ordinance, Lynnwood’s LMC regarding mobile food vendors was unclear, contradictory, and overcomplicated, the city said, 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.
The city launched a Mobile Food Vendor Survey (on April 21, 2026), and two conversations with City Council on April 9, and April 27, 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.
The original ordinance required mobile food vendors to 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. However, the updated ordinance (which passed Monday) simplifies this by adding the fire permit to the process and allowing vendors to apply for their Business License in the same process.
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.
Since council last discussed this ordinance, on April 27, city staff have made a few changes to the ordinance including the following:
- Converting Mobile Food Vendor License to a Mobile Food Vendor Permit (operates as a fire permit. No additional fire permit required)
- Add Site Specific and Non-site-specific permits
- Updated Application materials to remove reduncncies including but not limited to;
- Snohomish County Health Department Approval. Used to grease disposal agreement review.
- Labor and Industries (L&I) Number. Used for Fire review.
- Business license. Can be applied for concurrently with Mobile Food Vendor Permit.
- Site Plan review is only required for mobile food vendors operating on a site for more than 90 days
- Fire inspections by other jurisdictions may be accepted by the Administrator for a reduced fee
- Establish Mobile Food Vendor Permit fee
Councilwoman Isabel Mata moved to approve the ordinance, seconded by Council President Nick Coelho.
“This is something the community asked for, it’s something the council wanted, I really like the options you included for the fees. I think we’ve come a long way from that $400 mark that makes this really accessible,” said Mata.
Council member Bryce Owings echoed Mata’s remarks before the ordinance passed unanimously.
Emily Sorenson to Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
In addition to passing the food vendor permit, Emily Sorenson was hired to the City of Lynnwood’s Lodging Tourism Assessment Committee and has been engaged in the FIFA World Cup Planning Committee and attended previous Lodging Tax Advisory Committee meetings.
Sorenson is currently the Director of Sales for the Courtyard Marriot Lynnwood and brings with her 18 years of hospitality experience, primarily in downtown Seattle.
“It’s my honor to offer an additional perspective from the sales and tourism side, to be able to talk to all of you and all of our committee members on different ways on how we can utilize these tourism funds to further our promotion of the City of Lynnwood and bring more of those tourism tax dollars in,” said Sorenson.
Lynnwood Councilwoman Isabel Mata, who chairs the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, welcomed Sorenson with open arms saying she would make an excellent addition to the commission.
“Thank you for your participation and wanting to be a part of this,” said Mata.
Mata motioned to approve Sorenson to the position, seconded by Council Vice President Derica Escamilla. Sorenson was approved unanimously.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
