News

New food cart rules place Oregon park vendor's status in limbo

December 17, 2019

Under a new county ordinance taking effect in January governing food carts, Portland Parks & Recreation may not renew a food cart owner's contract in Washington Park due to infrastructure costs and fees associated with the law, according to an OPB.org report.

The new Multnomah County ordinance shifts responsibility from food cart owners to the property owners of the sites for cleanliness, electricity and clean water.

Property owners must obtain a permit to operate a food cart under the ordinance. The permits would cost $405 annually in addition to a one-time $580 "plan review" fee.

Jeff Martin, environmental health supervisor for the Multnomah County Health Department, said he expects the rules to be finalized in the next few weeks.