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To streamline communications the City will be shifting exclusively to Text notifications sometime in April, rather than sending both App Notifications and Text notifications. We have determined that the App does not provide sufficient functionality to continue to pay for its ongoing support. We will be shifting all notifications to Text notifications. If you currently receive App notifications, please visit Textcaster to sign up for Text notifications. If you haven't been receiving notifications, sign up now!

We will continue to also use the city website and the city Facebook page for updates. 

The York City Council passed an ordinance last night to clarify that scooters, e-bikes, skateboards and other two- or three-wheel vehicles that are human powered and possibly motor-assisted must follow the rules of the road and stay off sidewalks in the downtown area. Currently, state law does not establish rules for these kinds of vehicles. The ordinance clarifies that these smaller means of transport will be treated like bicycles. Operators of these vehicles must follow the same rules that bicycles must follow in the city of York. Ordinance committee members explained that they felt it was critical to require these newer kinds of vehicles to follow the rules of the road and that treating them like bicycles was the simplest way to create rules that are easy to understand and enforce. Motorcycles, mopeds, and ATV vehicles are currently defined and regulated by state law and must continue to follow state rules for those kinds of vehicles. Nebraska state law does not allow ATV vehicles on city streets unless a city passes an ordinance to explicitly authorize ATV use. Nebraska state law places additional restrictions on what cities can allow in terms of ATV use in city limits. Similarly, Nebraska state law places restrictions on what cities may allow for UTVs and golf carts. Members of the Ordinance Committee noted at the meeting Thursday night that they will be turning to discussions of ordinances for UTVs and other alternative vehicles covered by state law as their next task. Members noted that they were waiting to see if one of the state bills introduced this legislative session that would have changed state law for UTVs was going to pass before passing an ordinance for UTVs that might be more restrictive than necessary. Now that it is highly likely that neither state bill will pass, members of the Ordinance committee indicated that they will turn their attention to developing a proposal for city rules for these vehicles.

Early spring weather brings the possibility of chilly nights and cozy conversations around a fire outdoors. If you are taking that cozy experience to the backyard with a fire pit or outdoor fireplace, its important to follow the fire pit safety rules in the city of York code.

If you are building a fire pit or outdoor fireplace, use the Fire Pit form to apply for a permit from the York Fire Department.  A Permit is not required for portable fire pits or chimineas that are commercially designed and intended to confine and control outdoor wood fires.

When using any outdoor fire pit or device, note the following safety rules in the City of York Code: City Ordinance: Section 18-6 – Outdoor Fireplaces & Firepits

DO:

• Make sure that the fire pit is more than 10 feet from all combustible surfaces.
• Use only untreated wood in an amount to keep flames within the fire pit.
• Check regularly for cracks or damage.

DON’T

• Place the pit under overhangs or balconies
• Use the fire pit during high wind or dry conditions
• Use the fire pit above the first floor or on combustible decks

On August 21, the City Council approved a new Mobile Vendor policy. Vendors operating food trucks or any mobile vendor operation within the city must comply with the new city policy. The policy requires mobile vendors/food trucks to apply for a mobile vendor permit. The permit requires mobile vendors to provide evidence of liability insurance and Nebraska sales tax registration. Food truck vendors will also provide proof of their Temporary Food Establishment Permit or Mobile Unit Permit from the state of Nebraska. The new form is available on the city website in the Forms section. Forms, required documents, and payments can be emailed or provided in person at the York Police Department (315 N. Grant). Payments can be made over the phone or in person. 

Exceptions

Farmer's Market - Nonprofit & Religions Organizations - Vendors under a Special Event permit - Vendors on private property not selling to the public - other governments.

If you will be operating within a city park, use Parks and Recreation form  

If you're organizing a food truck event, like a food truck fundraiser, use the Special Event form.