Morgan: Background on Hermiston’s food vendor ordinance change
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, March 4th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
HERMISTON – The Hermiston City Council recently revamped its food vendor ordinance. Assistant City Manager Mark Morgan said it wasn’t because of problems with local food trucks. Instead it was prompted by outsiders.
He said the cause for concern came when, in the evening hours, several tents would be raised along Highway 395 with people cooking and selling food. Those vendors did not have business licenses, health permits, or even permission from the property owners to pitch their tents.
“It was very clear that there was an organized ring coming down out of the Washington area, down the I-82 corridor from Seattle all the way down here to Hermiston,” he said. “It was just bizarre. They were all over the place. It was really like chasing cats there for a while.”
The new ordinance requires the vendors to show food handlers’ licenses, health department permits, and business licenses. They also have to show they have permission from the owner to be on the property. Morgan says failure to show any of those items means they can be immediately shut down.
