Pierce County officials are considering new restrictions on unpermitted food carts, stands, tents, booths and kiosks, citing public health concerns and a desire to give properly licensed businesses a fairer chance to compete. A County Council committee discussed the proposal Monday. It would bar unpermitted vendors from operating between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., on public streets or sidewalks, or within five feet of an alley or driveway. Licensed food trucks would not be affected. Council Member Dave Morell said the measure is intended to protect public health, pointing to uncertainty about how some unpermitted vendors store and handle food. A county facilities presentation showed examples of food-safety problems around Washington, including improperly stored raw meat and an obstructed handwashing sink in Kennewick, as well as inadequate temperature-controlled storage and unlicensed fruit and hot dog carts in Pierce and Thurston counties. Gursimran Nagra, whose family runs three licensed food trucks at a Puyallup food court, said health inspections are an important safeguard. He estimated the county health department inspects the family’s businesses about every six months. Nagra supported the public-health goal but said the permitting process can be difficult for new business owners. He suggested offering more help to people trying to meet licensing requirements. Under the proposal, vendors who violate the rules could face a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to 90 days in jail, or both. Penalties would be higher for employers or owners, and the sheriff’s office could impound equipment used by mobile food vendors. The full County Council is scheduled to vote on the proposal Oct. 27.