Pedestrians pass Jaime Gómez, a food vendor selling hot dogs on the sidewalk along Olive Avenue in Fresno’s Tower District Wednesday evening, July 19, 2023.
ERIC PAUL ZAMORA
ezamora@fresnobee.com
Fresno sidewalk vendors now face zero time limitations on when they can stay open in the Tower District, thanks to a state law.
The Fresno City Council updated its sidewalk vending ordinance at a Thursday meeting in accordance with state law and a recent ruling by the Fourth Appellate District Court of Appeal, which prevents cities from regulating street vendors’ hours differently from stores in California.
The local ordinance update comes months after Councilmember Miguel Arias proposed a total ban on vendors selling in Fresno’s Tower District during peak sale hours, Friday through Sunday, between 6 p.m. and 3 a.m., which was met with backlash from many vendors and advocates.
City officials cited late-night police calls for service after bars and restaurants close for the night in their proposal to ban sidewalk vendors in the neighborhood during peak business hours.
On Jan. 22, a three-judge panel ruled in favor of a San Diego street vendor over the city’s street vending ordinances, which put time and place restrictions on vending, similar to Fresno’s efforts.
The judges deemed the city’s street vending ordinances to be in direct conflict with state law.
Jaime Gómez, a food vendor selling hot dogs, sets up shop on the sidewalk along Olive Avenue in Fresno’s Tower District Wednesday evening, July 19, 2023. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com
Increased fines for failing to comply with permanent requirements were also introduced in October in Fresno, between $100 to $500, depending on the number of repeated violations, which are still in place.
“The City’s Code Enforcement Team will continue to enforce all applicable regulations, including permitting and licensing requirements, operational standards, and public safety provisions,” a statement from Arias office said. “All sidewalk vendors are required to maintain a valid City of Fresno Business Tax Certificate, all applicable permits issued by the Fresno County Department of Public Health, and comply with all health and safety regulations.”
Administrative fines for unpermitted sidewalk vending involving food prepared on a heated surface requiring fuel will continue as:
First violation: A written warningSecond violation: Fine up to $100Third violation: Fine up to $200Fourth violation: Fine up to $500
Fines for unpermitted sidewalk vending are:
First violation: A written warningSecond violation: Fine up to $25Third violation: Fine up to $50Fourth violation: Fine up to $100 Pedestrians pass Jaime Gómez, a food vendor selling hot dogs on the sidewalk along Olive Avenue in Fresno’s Tower District Wednesday evening, July 19, 2023. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com
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