Downey City Council Votes to Legalize Street Vending via a Permit System

[dropcap size=big]O[/dropcap]n Tuesday, Downey City Council responded to Senate Bill 946 to create a sidewalk vending program with new regulations.

Senate Bill 946, known as the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act, was signed into legislation on January 1 and opened the door for a sidewalk vending to occur without any regulation requirements. 

After the vote, vending from motor vehicles are no longer permitted on alleys, sidewalks, or public property, and are limited to public streets with a State of California license for commercial purposes. Street vendors will also need a copy of a current and valid business license, and a seller’s permit issued by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.

Applications for a permit require disclosure of whether the vendor is a roaming sidewalk vendor or stationary sidewalk vendor, a description of food or merchandise, description or map of areas proposed to work in, and description of the proposed vending cart (height, width, and depth of equipment). 

The item was passed on a 4-0 vote with Councilman Alex Saab absent.

Before Downey’s recent sidewalk vending program, legal agencies could not restrict street vendors to specific neighborhoods or public right-of-way unless it directly affected safety, health, or welfare. 

L.A. Taco will update as the story develops.

Editor's note: This story was first reported by The Downey Patriot.