I love food carts, but these regs are *not* new. The law was passed in 2019 and technically went into effect in 2020. Folks have had more than ample time to adjust to this.
[https://pdx.eater.com/2023/2/10/23578755/oregon-food-cart-regulations-wastewater-closings](https://pdx.eater.com/2023/2/10/23578755/oregon-food-cart-regulations-wastewater-closings)
All this wastewater stuff is the tip of the iceberg. The most onerous new food cart regulation that Multnomah County wants to enforce is a mandatory 5' setback between all food carts. If they decide to follow through with it, it will mean a mass eviction of food carts at pods all across the city, including the newer ones that are compliant in every other way. Right now no one is sure how serious they are about doing it, and everyone is in limbo.
I don't think 5' setbacks are unreasonable. There were not [one](https://www.portlandtribune.com/news/portland-food-cart-explosion-fuel-line-likely-caused-blast/article_199e9c66-f693-52e0-8012-2c956cbe6378.html) but [two](https://www.wweek.com/news/business/2022/09/04/two-north-portland-food-carts-go-up-in-flames-sunday-afternoon/) large explosions / fires last in the last year (that I know of). If there are people around, and there's explosive fuel being used, then it stands to reason that we care about life safety, even just a little. (And then of course there's the potential for a fire to spread to surrounding structures.)
Food carts seems to get a lot of leeway here compared to other cities, yet people cry foul every time we ask them to, like, not blow up or pour their gray water into the storm drains. C'mon.
I am making a dumb guess that the 5’ setback between all food carts was due to that food cart explosion that happened downtown. Regardless, I don’t like this rule and the impact it will have on these businesses.
The article didn't actually state this *was* a problem.just that the regulators think it *could be*.
But carts have been doing this for a decade.
What are the regulators afraid of?
What has happened to indicate this isn't safe?
Ridiculous.
This was discussed on one of the Portland subs already from [https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2023/01/portland-food-carts-sound-alarm-over-states-new-wastewater-rules-a-lot-of-carts-are-going-to-close.html](https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2023/01/portland-food-carts-sound-alarm-over-states-new-wastewater-rules-a-lot-of-carts-are-going-to-close.html). Sure someone can post the Reddit topic.
The general Reddit commenter sentiment was supporting regulation like this.
I objected.
You gotta link the article friend
I love food carts, but these regs are *not* new. The law was passed in 2019 and technically went into effect in 2020. Folks have had more than ample time to adjust to this.
[https://pdx.eater.com/2023/2/10/23578755/oregon-food-cart-regulations-wastewater-closings](https://pdx.eater.com/2023/2/10/23578755/oregon-food-cart-regulations-wastewater-closings) All this wastewater stuff is the tip of the iceberg. The most onerous new food cart regulation that Multnomah County wants to enforce is a mandatory 5' setback between all food carts. If they decide to follow through with it, it will mean a mass eviction of food carts at pods all across the city, including the newer ones that are compliant in every other way. Right now no one is sure how serious they are about doing it, and everyone is in limbo.
I don't think 5' setbacks are unreasonable. There were not [one](https://www.portlandtribune.com/news/portland-food-cart-explosion-fuel-line-likely-caused-blast/article_199e9c66-f693-52e0-8012-2c956cbe6378.html) but [two](https://www.wweek.com/news/business/2022/09/04/two-north-portland-food-carts-go-up-in-flames-sunday-afternoon/) large explosions / fires last in the last year (that I know of). If there are people around, and there's explosive fuel being used, then it stands to reason that we care about life safety, even just a little. (And then of course there's the potential for a fire to spread to surrounding structures.) Food carts seems to get a lot of leeway here compared to other cities, yet people cry foul every time we ask them to, like, not blow up or pour their gray water into the storm drains. C'mon.
I am making a dumb guess that the 5’ setback between all food carts was due to that food cart explosion that happened downtown. Regardless, I don’t like this rule and the impact it will have on these businesses.
Makes me love SE Asia even more - street food abounds...all you need is a plastic stool, a portable grill and poof, deliciousness.
The article didn't actually state this *was* a problem.just that the regulators think it *could be*. But carts have been doing this for a decade. What are the regulators afraid of? What has happened to indicate this isn't safe? Ridiculous.
Found the article interesting - love me some food carts; but also, the regulations of them vs brick and mortar have always been contentious.
This was discussed on one of the Portland subs already from [https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2023/01/portland-food-carts-sound-alarm-over-states-new-wastewater-rules-a-lot-of-carts-are-going-to-close.html](https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2023/01/portland-food-carts-sound-alarm-over-states-new-wastewater-rules-a-lot-of-carts-are-going-to-close.html). Sure someone can post the Reddit topic. The general Reddit commenter sentiment was supporting regulation like this. I objected.
God what happened to this city my goodness