Ask The Mayor: What’s the Requirements for Non-Mobile Food Stands, Trailers

Mayor Michael Victorino answers some of the most-asked questions submitted to his office staff.

Q: Can you please tell me what the requirements are for a non-mobile food stand or trailer? Can it be on residential or agriculturally zoned property? Where would I find the specific protocol to begin? Thank you for creating this opportunity to Ask The Mayor!

A: Mahalo for your question and thank you for your kind words.

I think the best piece of advice I can give you is to begin your process by consulting with the Department of Planning’s Zoning Administration and Enforcement Division. They can be reached at 270-7253. Staff can help verify the land use designations of your proposed location, discuss potential requirements and verify if any land use approvals will be required.

Food stands and trailers can be permitted in Commercial Zoning Districts. Agricultural food establishment can also be permitted under specific circumstances. Other important considerations include parking requirements and Special Management Area requirements.

For food trailers, after consulting with Planning Department staff, you may apply for your vendor license through the Department of Finance and Division of Motor Vehicles and Licensing. Please call the DMV Call Center at 270-7363 and their staff can arrange to email you a Vendor Business application and instructions.

I would strongly encourage you to go through the process of considering the wide array of land use designations and configurations – to ensure you are in compliance with any County requirements. I’m very excited to see a small business in the works and I wish you great success with your future.

Want to Ask the Mayor?

Submit your Maui County related questions to Mayor Michael Victorino by email at [email protected], by phone at 270-7855 or by mail at 200 S. High St., ninth floor, Wailuku 96793. Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the “Ask the Mayor” column; to request a personal response to a concern, email [email protected].