Temple University is establishing a Street and Sidewalk Vending District to ensure safe operating standards among mobile food vendors while maintaining the number of food trucks and carts on Main Campus.

Passed in June by Philadelphia City Council and signed Sept. 8 by Mayor Michael A. Nutter, the legislation establishing the Temple University Street and Sidewalk Vending District helps ensure that all vendors are licensed with the city and abide by uniform standards for parking, power connections and trash removal. Vendors will also be expected to keep their carts or trucks road ready.

Key safety provisions include clearly identifying approved locations for vendors throughout the campus; prohibiting the use of generators; and establishing minimum time periods during which vendors remain open.

“We appreciate the rich history of mobile food vending at Temple,” said Beverly Coleman, assistant vice president for community relations. “These measures promote a safe environment for our campus community, both for vending operations and for pedestrian safety, while preserving an important asset to the Temple experience.”

The Street and Sidewalk Vending District allows for a total of 50 vendors, which will maintain the quantity and types of mobile food vendors currently on campus. Philadelphia’s Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) will issue the licenses and lead the administration and enforcement of the ordinance.

Vendors will not be permitted on 13th Street between Montgomery Avenue and Norris Street. This area is and will continue to be the site of heavy construction during the demolition of Barton Hall and the creation of Temple’s new library.

“The university is committed to fostering an environment that enhances faculty, staff, student and community life,” Coleman said. “This ordinance will improve the overall campus appearance and atmosphere for food vending. We appreciate City Council President Darrell Clarke’s leadership and look forward to collaborating with L&I. We will also continue to engage with our vendors throughout this process.”