What is now required of Sacramento County street vendors after recent vote?

Yahoo

29-01-2025

(FOX40.COM) — Street vendors across Sacramento County can expect an increase in rules and regulations around their operations following a decision by the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.
Tuesday's vote eliminated the county's decades-long legal prohibition of sidewalk vending and brought the county more in line with state laws regarding street vending.
Sacramento County Code Chapter 4.55, effective in March, establishes a new 1-year sidewalk vendor license at a cost of $61 that will be required for all street vendors operating in Sacramento County.
The new county code follows many of the regulations outlined in Senate Bill 946 – Sidewalk Vendors which was passed in 2019 and Senate Bill 972 – Compact Mobile Food Operations which was passed in 2023.
As the county rolls out the new requirements, they do not plan on punishing uncompliant street vendors immediately.
Inspectors will first educate vendors on the new county code and allow them time to acquire a street vendor license.
'Messaging that'll go out to these pop-up vendors, it'll be educational, it'll be friendly, it'll be really about what is in the best interest of the public and how to we protect the public,' District 4 Supervisor Rosario Rodriguez said.
If vendors are still found to be out of compliance by not having a business license or a Compact Food Mobile Operations (CMFO) Health Permit they can be fined.
Fines for operating without a business license: • First violation: $250• Second violation within one year of the first: $500• Following violations within a year of the first: $1,000
Along with requiring a license, vendors will also have specific guidelines of where they can set up for business and exactly how they are set up.
These are the locations where vendors can not be set up:• Along sidewalks where it would hinder or obstruct the passage of pedestrians • At the entrance to a place of business• In the immediate vicinity of a construction zone or traffic-controlled area for construction• Where the visibility for/of drivers or pedestrians would be obstructed • Within the immediate area of a special event with areas designated for temporary use permits• Swap meets and farmer's markets
These are the specific distances sidewalk vendors need to be from prohibited areas:• 100 feet from an outdoor dining or patio dining areas • 20 feet from marked or unmarked crosswalks • 15 feet from crosswalks with a curb extension• 15 feet from a fire hydrant• 15 feet from a driveway or driveway apron• 200 feet from a library, police station, government building, fire station or hospital• 10 feet from a business during operating hours• 10 feet from a bicycle rack• 18 inches from the edge of a curb
Items prohibited for the set-up of street stall:• Lights, horns or music• Freestanding Signs • Seating area for customers • Elevated objects (umbrellas, flags, banners, etc.) that may obstruct the view of drivers and pedestrians• Gas-powered generators • Propane bottles
Vendors are also prohibited from selling alcohol, lottery tickets, cannabis, tobacco, electronic cigarettes, adult-orientated materials, weapons, drugs of any kind or any merchandise prohibited by law.
Street vendors must: • Have a trash receptacle and ensure that trash within a 10-foot radius of the stall is cleaned before leaving• Water and soap available for handwashing • Ability to wash utensils or rotate utensils after four hours of use• Refrigeration• Remain in attendance at the stand • Not lock or chain the stand to any pole, sign, tree or other objects• Ensure carts have a self-contained power source.
Vendors may connect to county or private water or electricity sources with permission from the county or private property owner.
A point of interest for the supervisors was how are inspectors going to ensure that street vendors are operating at appropriate hours.
The new regulations state that vendors must maintain hours that are similar to other businesses in the surrounding area.
'So what if all the other businesses are closed including the restaurants, but there is one bar, say along Madison Avenue, in that area that is open until two o'clock in the morning?' District 3 Supervisor Rich Desmond asked.
County staff said that each vendor's operating hours will be evaluated and established on a case-by-case basis.
Rodriguez brought up the point that some vendors operate along roadways that may not have businesses around them to determine reasonable hours of operation.
County staff said looking at what is driving customers to those vendors like a highly trafficked roadway or bridge may help determine what the hours of operation should be for vendors in that area.
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