National City's Street Vendor Sweep

If it’s up to National City officials, last-minute shoppers in National City will have a hard time finding a roadside stand or pushcart to buy Mom a quick gift on Mother's Day.

Starting in May 7, officials from the code-enforcement unit and the police department will be looking to sweep the city clean of street vendors during Mother's Day.

City officials and police officers have notified property owners, patrons visiting the unlicensed vendors, and the vendors that they will be handing out citations if vendors operate illegally.

Unlicensed street vendors is listed on the City's website as one of the five most frequent code violations.

According to National City officials, street vendors block sidewalks, creating a public safety hazard.

In addition to the concern for public safety, the crackdown on pushcarts is intended to protect local businesses. The carts and vendors take money away from licensed businesses.

"The City has encouraged members of the National City Chamber of Commerce to not allow unlicensed vendors to sell their wares on their property and instead encourage patronage of their fellow licensed businesses."

The street-vendor sweep will end on May 10.