Rancho Santa Margarita is imposing new restrictions on the timing and locations of sidewalk vendors, along with enforcing permit regulations.
Per the new regulations, roaming street vendors — those who move from place to place to sell goods — would be allowed to operate in residential areas from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. But in nonresidential areas, all vendors, including those that are stationary, will be able to sell until 10 p.m. or later if other businesses on that street are allowed to remain open past 10.
Stationary vendors are prohibited from selling in residential areas, and all types would need appropriate permits to operate.
To obtain a sidewalk vending permit, vendors must submit a written application to the county that includes their proposed hours of operation, items that will be sold and the precise location where they will sell, according to the ordinance.
Additionally, applicants must provide proof of necessary permits from the Orange County Health Care Agency for food sales, a California seller’s permit number, an indemnification agreement and proof of insurance coverage as well as undergo criminal background checks for both the applicant and employees and pay the required fee.
If approved for a permit, vendors still need to follow a set of rules and regulations in order to operate in Rancho Santa Margarita, including prohibitions on flashing lights, sound-amplifying devices, open flames and sales of alcohol, marijuana and adult-oriented material, to name a few. The full list of prohibited items will be listed in the ordinance.
The City Council unanimously approved the new ordinance on Feb. 14 but must vote on it a second time before it will officially become law.
In the agenda report discussing the ordinance, officials said they are updating city regulations to make it more in line with a state law enacted in January 2019. This law abolished the criminalization of sidewalk vending in California and allowed local authorities to…
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