Mobile traders will return to the beachfront next year but will be restricted to take up no more than 12 car parks.

Tauranga City Council is seeking public consultation on a policy to outline rules for traders selling on Mount Maunganui Main Beach during the summer months.

Mobile traders will continue to operate on the beachfront on Marine Parade.

A total of 12 carparks have been allocated to traders between Grace and Pacific Avenues opposite Mount Drury with each trader limited to three car spaces.

In future the number of traders at the prime location will depend on how many of the 12 allocated angle park parks are taken up by the traders' vans, stalls or caravans – depending on the size of each trailer.

It's a turnaround from the current policy which allows only six traders for the tendered carparks.

The slots available from Boxing Day until Waitangi Day will still be allocated by tender.

The mobile traders on Marine Parade will also be able to trade all day between Grace and Pacific Avenues outside the peak holiday tender period, but they are banned from the beachfront nearer the Twin Towers.

Other changes in the updated policy to go out for public consultation include removing a requirement for traders to move every 60 minutes in certain locations, and a tidy-up of the distance rules, after monitoring officer Brian Jupp told the committee they are presently unenforceable.

They will now be able to trade for more than 60 minutes as long as they are not located in front of a private residence, and there is adequate roadside parking available for customers.