FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — Sidewalk vending in Fresno’s Tower District could look a lot different if proposed changes to the city’s vending rules get approved.

City Council Vice President Miguel Arias is co-sponsoring the amendments, which aim to make the district safer at night and address health concerns across the city.

The changes come after a noticeable uptick in late-night police calls tied to gangs, open alcohol and unpermitted food vendors.

Under the proposal, sidewalk vending would be off-limits in the Tower District from 6 :00 p.m. Fridays to 3:00 a.m. Sundays.

That’s the heart of the district’s nightlife, home to more than 30 restaurants, many open late.

The city also wants to step up enforcement for vendors cooking food on grills, barbecues or other heated surfaces without the proper permits.

Fines would start with a written warning and could reach $500 for repeat offenses.

“Fresno’s sidewalk vendors add flavor to our neighborhoods and support our local economy,” Arias said. “But as nightlife grows, so do public safety concerns. These changes give us the tools to protect residents, visitors, and even the vendors themselves.”

Fresno has a history of supporting its sidewalk vendors.

In 2021, the city formed the Local Mobile Food Vendor Association Committee to help vendors navigate rules and connect with officials.

Since then, the council has invested more than $1.2 million to help vendors get permits, licenses and compliant equipment, even security cameras.

Most recently, it funded a shared commercial kitchen for local food entrepreneurs.

The amendments will be introduced at Thursday’s City Council meeting.

If approved, they would go into effect Dec. 1, 2025.

For anyone thinking about vending in Fresno, the city stresses doing it the right way. You’ll need:

A City of Fresno Business Tax Certificate (City Hall, 1st Floor, Room 1096; Mon-Fri, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.)Zone Clearance from the Planning Department (City Hall, 3rd Floor, Room 3043)A Fresno County Environmental Health Permit for food handling (1221 Fulton St., 3rd Floor; Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.)

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