San Juan Capistrano will establish Sidewalk Vending Regulations

The San Juan Capistrano City Council tonight may introduce an ordinance which would enable the city to be in compliance with recently adopted state legislation on sidewalk vending operations. The legislation bans cities from prohibiting stationary vendors from operating on public sidewalks or on any public walkways. It also requires cities to establish a licensing program in order to regulate sidewalk/walkway vendors.

San Juan Capistrano’s Municipal code bans pushcart vendors from operating in the public-right-of-way or on any public property. Councilman John Taylor says under the new city ordinance, vending operations would be allowed with regulations. They include requiring vendors to operate only on paved sidewalks/walkways and maintain at least three feet of unobstructed sidewalk.

He says the regulations also ban vendors from connecting to any utility lines and they can’t set up tables, chairs or shade structures or any other street furniture.

Tonight’s City Council meeting begins at five.