Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs

In time for summer, Imperial Beach sets rules for sidewalk vendors

Is anywhere off limits?

Vendors can't set up on south Seacoast because the sidewalk doesn't meet the minimum eight-foot width. - Image by Dave Rice
Vendors can't set up on south Seacoast because the sidewalk doesn't meet the minimum eight-foot width.

Summer means sidewalk sales. And now, starting this summer, even more sidewalk sales. In January, a state law took effect that makes it easier for street vendors, whether stationary or roaming, to hawk everything from cool hats to hot tamales.

The Safe Sidewalk Vending Act opens the door for entrepreneurs, and prohibits criminal penalties for sidewalk vending. Cities can set rules related to health and safety if they aren't too restrictive. But they can no longer force vendors to operate within specific parts of the public right-of-way.

Some La Jollans tried hard to upend the carts; El Cajon and Vista have already passed regulations. Now, in time for summer events, the Imperial Beach City Council adopted an ordinance on May 15 to regulate sidewalk vending.

Sponsored
Sponsored

The purpose of the amendments is not to prohibit it, but just to address issues around life safety, city staff said. Such as leaving enough room on the sidewalk for police, fire and marine safety personnel, as well as special events and disability access.

One business owner warned the council of a "carnival atmosphere" that could erupt on busy weekends, and stressed the need to make it clear to all where vendors can operate.

But cities can't determine where vendors can work "unless there is a health, safety, or welfare concern." Imperial Beach has a few of those: areas with skinny sidewalks and heavy pedestrian traffic, and throngs of tourists keeping lifeguards busy, which also means beaches are off limits. Vendors can't set up on south Seacoast, for example, because the sidewalk doesn't meet the minimum eight-foot width. Only roaming carts – no stationary ones – will be allowed on the narrow sidewalks.

And cities can't ban vending in parks, but they can use the wiggle room in the law. The city's new ordinance says "No stationary sidewalk vendors may vend in any park subject to a signed exclusive concessionaire's agreement." The city can, after posting notice, adopt more requirements for its parks to protect recreation.

Then there's the estuary, which the city has identified as an environmentally sensitive area.

"I think one of the prohibited areas for vending explicitly should be the sidewalks and walkways around the estuary," said Councilmember Spriggs, citing litter. "More importantly, the new project will have a boardwalk on the estuary frontage on I.B. Boulevard between 3rd and Seacoast Drive. And that's going to be an open invitation for sidewalk vending. Unless we restrict it."

"On the bay side, are we also going to limit the wildlife refuge?" asked Councilmember Paloma Aguirre.

The chamber of commerce wanted to know if the ordinance would affect the farmers market. In fact, sidewalk vendors won't be allowed to compete with permitted events like farmers markets: the state law calls for a 300-foot separation.

Some other requirements vendors will face are obtaining a permit, which must be displayed, and for food sellers, a health permit. No sales of alcohol, tobacco, pot, or products used in vaping. No distracting noises or flashing signs. And no working within 100 feet of another sidewalk vendor, the intersection of a street or sidewalk, schools, churches, or large daycares.

Mayor Dedina said he was fine with the ordinance as it is, and the city will take up the topic of enforcement at the next meeting. The estuary is listed in the ordinance as one of the city's unique features where "restrictions on sidewalk vending are necessary to protect the natural habitat and scenic character, as well as the health, safety and welfare of persons visiting the reserve."

But it doesn't prohibit vendors from operating on the adjacent sidewalks.

The latest copy of the Reader

Please enjoy this clickable Reader flipbook. Linked text and ads are flash-highlighted in blue for your convenience. To enhance your viewing, please open full screen mode by clicking the icon on the far right of the black flipbook toolbar.

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Less Than Jake, Spooky Circus In El Cajon, San Diego International Dragon Boat Race

Events October 17-October 19, 2024
Vendors can't set up on south Seacoast because the sidewalk doesn't meet the minimum eight-foot width. - Image by Dave Rice
Vendors can't set up on south Seacoast because the sidewalk doesn't meet the minimum eight-foot width.

Summer means sidewalk sales. And now, starting this summer, even more sidewalk sales. In January, a state law took effect that makes it easier for street vendors, whether stationary or roaming, to hawk everything from cool hats to hot tamales.

The Safe Sidewalk Vending Act opens the door for entrepreneurs, and prohibits criminal penalties for sidewalk vending. Cities can set rules related to health and safety if they aren't too restrictive. But they can no longer force vendors to operate within specific parts of the public right-of-way.

Some La Jollans tried hard to upend the carts; El Cajon and Vista have already passed regulations. Now, in time for summer events, the Imperial Beach City Council adopted an ordinance on May 15 to regulate sidewalk vending.

Sponsored
Sponsored

The purpose of the amendments is not to prohibit it, but just to address issues around life safety, city staff said. Such as leaving enough room on the sidewalk for police, fire and marine safety personnel, as well as special events and disability access.

One business owner warned the council of a "carnival atmosphere" that could erupt on busy weekends, and stressed the need to make it clear to all where vendors can operate.

But cities can't determine where vendors can work "unless there is a health, safety, or welfare concern." Imperial Beach has a few of those: areas with skinny sidewalks and heavy pedestrian traffic, and throngs of tourists keeping lifeguards busy, which also means beaches are off limits. Vendors can't set up on south Seacoast, for example, because the sidewalk doesn't meet the minimum eight-foot width. Only roaming carts – no stationary ones – will be allowed on the narrow sidewalks.

And cities can't ban vending in parks, but they can use the wiggle room in the law. The city's new ordinance says "No stationary sidewalk vendors may vend in any park subject to a signed exclusive concessionaire's agreement." The city can, after posting notice, adopt more requirements for its parks to protect recreation.

Then there's the estuary, which the city has identified as an environmentally sensitive area.

"I think one of the prohibited areas for vending explicitly should be the sidewalks and walkways around the estuary," said Councilmember Spriggs, citing litter. "More importantly, the new project will have a boardwalk on the estuary frontage on I.B. Boulevard between 3rd and Seacoast Drive. And that's going to be an open invitation for sidewalk vending. Unless we restrict it."

"On the bay side, are we also going to limit the wildlife refuge?" asked Councilmember Paloma Aguirre.

The chamber of commerce wanted to know if the ordinance would affect the farmers market. In fact, sidewalk vendors won't be allowed to compete with permitted events like farmers markets: the state law calls for a 300-foot separation.

Some other requirements vendors will face are obtaining a permit, which must be displayed, and for food sellers, a health permit. No sales of alcohol, tobacco, pot, or products used in vaping. No distracting noises or flashing signs. And no working within 100 feet of another sidewalk vendor, the intersection of a street or sidewalk, schools, churches, or large daycares.

Mayor Dedina said he was fine with the ordinance as it is, and the city will take up the topic of enforcement at the next meeting. The estuary is listed in the ordinance as one of the city's unique features where "restrictions on sidewalk vending are necessary to protect the natural habitat and scenic character, as well as the health, safety and welfare of persons visiting the reserve."

But it doesn't prohibit vendors from operating on the adjacent sidewalks.

Comments
Sponsored

The latest copy of the Reader

Please enjoy this clickable Reader flipbook. Linked text and ads are flash-highlighted in blue for your convenience. To enhance your viewing, please open full screen mode by clicking the icon on the far right of the black flipbook toolbar.

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Happy accidents on the Bob Ross soundtrack

Jason Lee and Dave Klein craft new sounds for a classic show
Next Article

University Heights Fall Festival, Haunted Ghost Town

Events October 19-October 23, 2024
Comments
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
June 3, 2019
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
Aug. 20, 2019
Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed Big Screen — Movie commentary Blurt — Music's inside track Booze News — San Diego spirits Classical Music — Immortal beauty Classifieds — Free and easy Cover Stories — Front-page features Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts Feast! — Food & drink reviews Feature Stories — Local news & stories Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore From the Archives — Spotlight on the past Golden Dreams — Talk of the town The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it Letters — Our inbox Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news News Ticker — News & politics Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated Poetry — The old and the new Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers Reading — The hunt for intellectuals Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds SD on the QT — Almost factual news Sheep and Goats — Places of worship Special Issues — The best of Street Style — San Diego streets have style Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves Theater — On stage in San Diego this week Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads Your Week — Daily event picks
4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
Close

Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

This Week’s Reader This Week’s Reader