Lake Forest may approve sidewalk vending ordinance

The Lake Forest City Council tonight may give final approval to a proposed sidewalk vending ordinance.

City Senior Communications and Marketing Analyst Jonathan Volzke says the ordinance was drawn up because under state law cities can no longer ban sidewalk vendors. But cities are allowed to set up regulations to enable sidewalk vending in a healthy and safe manner.

He says under the proposed ordinance interested vendors must get a city permit in order to operate. The permit would show where they want to be in the city, along with a list of employees. If they’re cooking food, the vendor would have to show proof it has an Orange County Health permit.

The sidewalk vendor may not block entrances to private or public buildings.

Tonight’s City Council meeting begins at 6:30.