At the next meeting of the Ukiah City Council Wednesday, the board is scheduled to consider an ordinance that will regulate street vendors operating on sidewalks and other public spaces.
“In recent years, the city of Ukiah has experienced a steady increase in sidewalk vending activity in commercial corridors, at key intersections, within residential neighborhoods, and during annual City events such as Sunday Concerts in the Park and PumpkinFest,” city planning staff explain in their agenda report for the March 4 meeting, noting that the increase “has underscored the need for a clear, enforceable framework that balances public health and safety, accessibility, appropriate use of public property, and efficient licensing procedures.”
Last summer, city staff report that they “convened an interdepartmental working group that included the Police Chief, Chief Building Official, Community Development Director, Project and Grant Administrator from the City Manager’s Office, Community Services Supervisor, and representatives from the City Attorney’s Office (which) was tasked with developing an ordinance consistent with Senate Bill 946, the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act.”
The following November, the City Council “provided direction and feedback on the draft ordinance, (requesting) clarification of enforcement provisions, definitions, and fee structures, (as well as) stronger ADA compliance language, ordinance intent, and clearer standards related to obstructions, power sources, sanitation, and fines.”
Since then, staff report that they have updated the ordinance to include:
Development of a mobile (sidewalk) vendor permit questionnaire within the existing Business License module (prepared for activation); Establishment of an internal review and inspection process to verify required health permits in coordination with Mendocino County; Evaluation of code enforcement logistics and interdepartmental coordination; Analysis of permit fee structures in consultation with Community Development – Business License Division staff.As for fees, staff explain that they “determined that a zero-fee designation for sidewalk vending is both preferable and appropriate, as the opportunity for meaningful cost recovery is negligible. Under the proposed fee structure, sidewalk vending authorization would be incorporated into the existing business license process, which remains a requirement to operate within city-limits. As part of the process, the business license application will include an additional question asking whether the license will be used for public sidewalk vending. This will help confirm compliance with the ordinance’s regulations and restrictions and ensure that any required health permits are submitted for food-related vendors.”
The updated ordinance “is applicable to all individuals engaged in the sale of goods or food items from non-permanent setups, including roaming and stationary sidewalk vendors. It mandates that vendors obtain and display a city-issued sidewalk vending permit and business license and, where applicable, a Mendocino County Health Permit and a California Seller’s Permit.” However, staff note that “this proposed ordinance relates to street vendors in the public right-of-way, and does not address considerations related to private property, food trucks or city-sponsored events, outside of enforcement considerations. The primary intent behind this ordinance is to comply with SB 946 while striking a balance between allowing economic opportunities for small vendors and protecting public spaces, ensuring that vending does not compromise safety, accessibility, public health, or effective transportation corridors.”
The City Council meeting at which this ordinance is next expected to be discussed is scheduled to begin at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, March 4, and can be attended either in-person at the Council Chambers, 300 Seminary Avenue, or online here: us06web.zoom.us/j/88492822902
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