O 698 ORDINANCE NO. 698
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO
GRANDE AMENDING CHAPTER 9.32 AND ADDING CHAPTER 9.33
TO TITLE 9 OF THE ARROYO GRANDE MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING
TO MOBILE VENDING AND SIDEWALK VENDING
WHEREAS, in 2011 the City Council adopted Ordinance Ord. No. 641, which
added Chapter 9.32 to the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code regulating Mobile
Vending; and
WHEREAS, in 2018 the State Legislature enacted the Safe Sidewalk Vending
Act, SB 946 (Statutes 2018, Chapter 459) added Sections 51036 et. Seq. to the
Government Code, which set forth limitations on the ability of local authorities to
prohibit or regulate sidewalk vendors, as defined in the Act; and
WHEREAS, the new State law does permit local authorities to establish
regulations on sidewalk vendors to protect valid health, safety and welfare
concerns; and
WHEREAS, the activities of sidewalk vendors, by setting up stands on streets or
moving from place to place as a roaming vendor, have the potential for vendors
to engage in illegal activities, including but not limited to sale of illegal substances
or merchandise and sale of counterfeit products, which necessitates background
checks for vendors to assure that any past improprieties are disclosed to the
permitting authority; and
WHEREAS, the activities of sidewalk vendors have the potential to cause injury
to persons or property by the manner in which they are sited, or by their
movement on sidewalks that are otherwise used by the traditional activities of
pedestrians and vehicles on adjacent streets for access, transport, delivery of
merchandise to local businesses, exercise and related activities; and
WHEREAS, sidewalk vending activities have significant potential to be physically
incompatible with the general public's traditional use of sidewalks, necessitating
siting restrictions to protect the public health, safety and welfare to ensure
sidewalks are safe and passable, especially for pedestrians and the physically
disabled, as well as requiring insurance so that any injuries caused by the
activities of sidewalk vendors are financially secured; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to amend its existing Mobile Vending
regulations contained in Chapter 9.32 to limit their application to vending from
vehicles, and also adopt a new Chapter 9.33 in order to enact regulations,
consistent with SB 946 to regulate sidewalk vendors.
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NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE
DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The above recitals and findings are true and correct and are incorporated
herein by this reference.
SECTION 2. Chapter 9.32 of Title 9 of the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code is retitled
"Mobile Vending from Vehicles" and is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:
9.32.010 - Purpose and intent.
The city finds that the vending of produce, prepared or prepackaged foods, goods,
and/or wares from vehicles at semi-permanent locations on public streets or alleys and
on private property may pose unsafe conditions and special dangers to the public
health, safety and welfare of the residents of the city. It is the purpose of this chapter to
provide clear and concise regulations governing these types of vehicular mobile vending
operations to prevent safety, traffic and health hazards, and to preserve the peace,
safety and welfare of the city and its residents.
9.32.020 - Applicability.
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, it is unlawful for any person or entity to act
as a vendor or employee of a mobile vehicle vendor, within the city without having first
obtained a mobile vehicle vending or mobile vehicle vending employee permit issued
pursuant to this chapter.
A. Number of Permits: A mobile vehicle vending permit shall be required for the
operation of each vending vehicle regardless of ownership or management.
B. Term of Permit; Renewal: Any mobile vehicle vending permit or mobile vehicle
vending employee permit issued pursuant to this chapter shall automatically expire one
year from the date of issuance, unless an earlier expiration date is noted on the permit.
The permit may be renewed by the chief of police subject to compliance with the
standards established in this chapter and payment of all applicable fees.
C. Transferability: A mobile vehicle vending or mobile vehicle vending employee permit
is not transferable to any other entity or person and is valid only as to the original
applicant.
D. Exemptions: A mobile vehicle vending permit is not required for the following
activities:
,1. The sale of agricultural products on the site where the product is grown;
2. Catering for private parties held exclusively on private property and not open to the
general public;
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3. Permitted community events such as, but not limited to, farmer's markets, crafts fairs,
street fairs, and other special events approved and designated by the city; and
4. Delivery activities of any establishment with a fixed place of business, which only
delivers its products, services, or goods to a specified address in response to a
customer request, order, or invoice previously placed through that fixed place of
business.
9.32.030 - Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the
meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:
A. "Developed site" means a site that has gravel, paved concrete or asphalt parking
surface and paved ingress and egress that meets city standards.
B. "Vending" means selling, offering for sale, or displaying or dispensing any food,
beverages, goods, wares, or merchandise from any vending vehicle.
C. "Vending vehicle" means a mobile food facility, temporary food facility, catering truck,
or other motorized conveyance upon which food, beverages, goods, wares, or
merchandise is sold, offered for sale, or distributed on any public street, alley or private
property.
D. "Vendor" means any individual or entity who sells and makes immediate delivery, or
offers for sale and immediate delivery, any food, beverages, goods, wares, or
merchandise from a vending vehicle, including employees of mobile vehicle vendors.
9.32.040 - Review authority.
Mobile vehicle vending and mobile vehicle vending employee permits shall be approved
or denied by the chief of police, in compliance with this chapter.
9.32.050 - Application filing and processing.
Applicants for a mobile vehicle vending permit under this chapter, and persons working
as an employee of a mobile vehicle vendor shall file with the chief of police an
application in writing on a form to be furnished by the city, which shall give the following
information:
A. A copy of the applicant's and/or operator's, or employee's Government issued form of
identification;
B. Name, address(es), and telephone number(s) of the applicant;
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C. A statement of the type of food, beverages, or merchandise to be sold;
D. A copy of a current registration of vending vehicle;
E. Intended locations, days and hours of operation;
F. For vending on private property:
1. Letter of consent signed by the property owner or authorized representative;
2. A site plan, drawn to scale and with dimensions, indicating the location of all existing
buildings, structures, driveways, parking spaces, traffic controls, and improvements and
the location where the proposed vending activity will be located on site, and
demonstrating that there will be adequate ingress and egress to the site and that the
mobile vending activity will have adequate parking and not utilize parking otherwise
required for any business located at the site;
G. A copy of current San Luis Obispo County health permit(s);
H. Proof of a current Arroyo Grande business license or application for business
license;
I. Evidence of general liability and automobile liability insurance; and
J. Four color photographs showing different exterior views of the vending vehicle.
9.32.060 - LiveScan.
Prior to the issuance of a mobile vehicle vending permit or mobile vehicle vending
employee permit, the applicant shall cause to be filed with the city police department a
LiveScan background check conducted by the California Department of Justice within
the previous six months of application for a mobile vending permit. The city police
department shall furnish each applicant with a LiveScan Request form for use at any
LiveScan vendor location.
9.32.070 - Permit processing fee.
At the time the application or renewal of a mobile vehicle vending or mobile vehicle
vending employee permit is filed with the chief of police, the applicant shall pay a fee
sufficient to cover the cost to the city of processing the application. The amount of the
fee shall be set by resolution of the city council.
9.32.080 - Permit review and decision.
A. Upon acceptance of a properly filed mobile vehicle vending or mobile vehicle vending
employee permit application and receipt of an acceptable LiveScan report issued by the
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Department of Justice, the chief of police shall conduct a preliminary investigation to
determine compliance with this chapter and shall make such determination within no
more than thirty (30) days of acceptance to approve or deny the application. The chief
of police shall provide the applicant with written notice of his or her decision to the
address indicated in the application.
B. The chief of police may deny an application for a mobile vehicle vending or mobile
vehicle vending employee permit if he or she makes any of the following findings:
1. The applicant has failed to pay the application permit fee.
2. The applicant has made one or more material misstatements in the application for a
permit.
3. The applicant does not have a valid California driver's license, a city business license,
current vehicle registration and/or general liability and/or automobile liability insurance.
4. The applicant's vending operation is inconsistent with the standards, conditions and
requirements of this chapter.
5. The applicant has been found in violation of this chapter at any time during the
previous three-year period.
6. Within three years of the date of the application, the applicant has been convicted in
a court of competent jurisdiction or pled nolo contendere to any misdemeanor or felony
offense which relates directly to the operation of mobile vehicle vending or any felony
offense involving the sale of a controlled substance specified in California Health and
Safety Code sections 11054, 11055, 11056, 11057 or 11058, or at the time of
application is on probation or parole for any offenses set forth in this section for an
offense that was committed within three years of the date of the application.
C. If the application is denied, the reasons for disapproval shall be noted on the
application, and the applicant shall be notified that his or her application is denied and
that no permit will be issued. Notice shall be mailed to the applicant at the address
shown on the application form.
D. If the chief of police approves the applicant's mobile vehicle vending or mobile
vehicle vending employee permit, he or she shall endorse his or her approval on the
application and shall, upon payment of the prescribed fee, deliver the mobile vehicle
vending or mobile vehicle vending employee permit to the applicant.
9.32.090 - Indemnification
As a condition of issuance of a mobile vehicle vending permit, the vendor shall agree to
indemnify, hold harmless, and defend the city and its officials, employees and agents
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from and against any and all liability, damage and/or loss arising from activities by the
vendor, its employees and agents.
9.32.100 - Standards, conditions, requirements.
All vendors shall comply with the following standards, conditions and requirements:
A. Location:
1. Vending shall occur only on a private developed site zoned Gateway Mixed-Use, Fair
Oaks Mixed-Use, Highway Mixed-Use, Industrial Mixed-Use, Office Mixed-Use, Public
Facility, or locations consistent with Vehicle Code § 22455;
2. No vending shall occur within ten (10) feet of a fire hydrant, fire escape, building
entrance, bus stop, loading zone, handicapped parking space or access ramp, or
driveway. A greater distance or separation from other uses may be required, under the
permit, in order to preserve line-of-sight, or for other safety reasons;
3. No vending shall occur within three hundred (300) feet of the grounds of any
elementary or junior high school;
4. No vending shall occur within five hundred (500)feet of a freeway entrance or exit;
5. Vendors shall not stop in any single location for more than one and one-half hours in
any twenty-four-hour period.
6. Vending at the Soto Sports Complex or any other city park, recreational facility, or
sports complex is permitted only upon the prior written authorization from the Arroyo
Grande Recreation and Maintenance Services Division.
B. Design and Operating Standards:
1. Condition/appearance of site:
a. The vendor shall maintain the area within which vending activities occur in a clean,
safe and sanitary condition;
b. No tables, chairs, fences, shade structures, other site furniture, or any freestanding
signs shall be permitted in conjunction with the vendors vending activities;
c. Should any site improvements be needed for ongoing vending operations, the vendor
shall be required to apply for appropriate permits to ensure building and public safety
and consistency with applicable building and zoning regulations;
d. The vendor shall not attach or use any water lines, electrical lines or gas lines during
vending operation; and
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e. Exterior storage or display of refuse, equipment, materials, goods, wares, or
merchandise associated with the vendor is prohibited.
2. Condition/appearance of vending vehicle:
a. The vendor shall display, in plain view and at all times, current permits and licenses
in or on their vending vehicle;
b. Any vending vehicle shall be clean and in good repair;
c. The vendor shall not discharge items from any vending vehicle onto the sidewalk,
gutter, storm inlets, or streets; and
d. The width, length, and height of all vending vehicles and devices shall be subject to
review as part of consideration of the mobile vending permit.
3. Hours of operation: Vending shall be conducted within the hours of 9:00 a.m. and not
later than 9:00 p.m. All activities shall comply with the city's noise ordinance.
4. Lighting: The vendor shall provide adequate lighting to ensure customer safety.
Lighting shall be directed downwards and away from public streets and adjacent
properties.
5. Obstructions, hazards: No vendor shall obstruct vehicular traffic, bicycle traffic,
sidewalk pedestrian traffic, or accessibility to vehicles parked adjacent to a curb, and
shall not create public health or safety hazards.
6. Parking: Prior to issuance of the mobile vehicle vending permit, the city shall confirm
that an acceptable area for customer parking exists, or shall specifically exempt the
vendor from this requirement due to the nature and/or location of the use. If the vending
will occur on private property the city shall determine that there will be adequate ingress
and egress to the site, and that the mobile vending activity will have adequate parking
and not utilize parking otherwise required for any business located on the site. Parking
for the vendor shall be specified in compliance with the mobile vending permit. The
vendor shall not indicate exclusive roadway parking or reserve any public parking area
for the vendor's customer parking.
7. Exceptions: Exceptions to increase length of time for vending in a single location or
daytime hours for special events are to be filed with the chief of police and considered
on an individual basis.
8. Other applicable regulations: Each vendor shall comply at all times with all applicable
federal, state, county, city and any other governmental requirements.
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9.32.110 - Denials, suspension, revocation, requests for additional information.
A. A mobile vehicle vending or mobile vehicle vending employee permit issued under
this chapter may be suspended or revoked by the chief of police for any of the following
causes:
1. Fraud or misrepresentation in the course of vending;
2. Fraud or misrepresentation in the application for the mobile vending permit;
3. Vending in violation of this chapter; or
4. Vending in a manner that creates a public nuisance or constitutes a danger to the
public.
9.32.120 -Appeals to city manager or his or her designee.
In the event that any applicant or permittee desires to appeal from any order, revocation
or other ruling of the chief of police or any other official of the city, made under the
provisions of this chapter, such applicant or any other person aggrieved shall have the
right to appeal such action or decision to the city manager, or his or her designee, within
fifteen (15) days after the notice of the action or decision has been mailed to the
person's address as shown on the permit application. An appeal shall be taken by filing
with the police department a written appeal statement setting forth the grounds for the
appeal. The chief of police shall transmit the written statement to the city manager
within ten (10) days of its filing and the city manager shall set a time and place for a
hearing on appeal. A hearing shall be set not later than sixty (60) days from the date of
filing of the applicant's written appeal statement with the police department. Notice of
the time and place of the hearing shall be given to the appellant in the same manner as
provided for the mailing of notice of suspension or revocation. The decision of the city
manager, or his or her designee, on the appeal shall be final and binding on all parties
concerned.
9.32.130 - Violations.
Any person who violates a provision of this chapter is guilty of a separate offense for
each day or part of a day during which the violation is committed, continued or
permitted. Any person who violates any provision in this chapter shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor.
SECTION 3. Chapter 9.33, titled "Sidewalk Vending" is hereby added to Title 9 of the
Arroyo Grande Municipal Code to read as follows:
9.33.010 — Purpose, intent and findings.
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The city council finds that the vending of produce, prepared or prepackaged foods,
goods, and/or wares on sidewalks may pose unsafe conditions and special dangers to
the public health, safety and welfare of the residents of the city. It is the purpose of this
chapter to provide clear and concise regulations, pursuant to the authority contained in
Government Code Section 51038, to regulate sidewalk vendors to prevent health
hazards, and to preserve the safety and welfare of the city and its residents.
The city council further finds that the activities of sidewalk vendors, who set up stands
on streets or move from place to place as a roaming vendor, have the potential for
vendors to engage in illegal activities, including but not limited to the sale of illegal
substances or merchandise and the sale of counterfeit products, which necessitates
background checks for vendors to assure that any past improprieties are disclosed to
the permitting authority and in order to ensure the safety of residents and the
merchantability of products sold by vendors without fixed places of business.
Prohibiting sidewalk vendors within proximity of schools during school hours and pick up
and drop off hours when children are present is necessary to protect the health and
safety of school children, since vendors operating in close proximity to schools may
attract unsupervised children to run into traffic to reach a vendor, exposing them to
potential injury, Also, vending during pick up and drop off times could exacerbate traffic
issues that typically occur when parents are picking up their children.
Additionally, the activities of sidewalk vendors have the potential to cause injury to
persons or property by the manner in which they are sited, or by their movement on
sidewalks that are otherwise used by the traditional activities of pedestrians and
vehicles on adjacent streets for access, transport, delivery of merchandise to local
businesses, exercise and related activities. Sidewalks are of limited width, and vehicles
park adjacent to them, and therefore the location of stationary vendors must be carefully
evaluated on a case by case basis and regulated so they are an appropriate distance
form street furniture, landscaping, do not create conflicts with people exiting parked
vehicles or restrict the use of sidewalks. In the Arroyo Grande Village area, most
businesses do not have loading areas, necessitating delivery vehicles to stop in the
middle of Branch Street and unload deliveries and bring them into stores and
restaurants. The statutorily mandated sidewalk vending activities that are the subject to
this Chapter have significant potential to be physically incompatible with the general
public's traditional use of sidewalks, necessitating siting restrictions to protect the public
health, safety and welfare to ensure sidewalks are safe and passable, especially for
pedestrians and the physically disabled, as well as requiring insurance so that any
injuries caused by the activities of sidewalk vendors are financially secured.
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9.33.020 - Applicability.
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, it is unlawful for any person or entity to act
as a sidewalk vendor within the city without having first obtained a sidewalk vending
permit issued pursuant to this chapter.
A. Term of Permit; Renewal: Any sidewalk vending permit issued pursuant to this
chapter shall automatically expire one year from the date of issuance, unless an earlier
expiration date is noted on the permit. The permit may be renewed by the chief of police
subject to compliance with the standards established in this chapter and payment of all
applicable fees.
B. Transferability: A sidewalk vending permit is not transferable to any other entity or
person and is valid only as to the original applicant.
9.33.030 - Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, the terms "sidewalk vendor," "roaming sidewalk
vendor" and "stationary vendor" shall have the following meanings respectively as
ascribed to them by Government Code Section 51036:
A. "Sidewalk vendor" means a person who sells food or merchandise from a pushcart,
stand, display, pedal-driven cart, wagon, showcase, rack, or other non-motorized
conveyance, or from one's person, upon a public sidewalk or other pedestrian path.
B. "Roaming sidewalk vendor" means a sidewalk vendor who moves from place to place
and stops only to complete a transaction.
C. "Stationary sidewalk vendor" means a sidewalk vendor who vends from a fixed
location.
9.33.040 - Review authority.
Sidewalk vending permits shall be approved or denied by the chief of police, in
compliance with this chapter.
9.33.050 - Application filing and processing.
Applicants for a sidewalk vending permit under this chapter shall file with the chief of
police an application in writing on a form to be furnished by the city, which shall give the
following information:
A. A copy of the applicant's and/or operator's California driver's license or identification
number, an individual taxpayer identification number or a municipal identification
number. No social security number shall be required of an applicant, and the number
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collected shall not be available to the public for inspection, is confidential, and shall not
be disclosed except as required to administer the permit or licensure program or comply
with a state law or state or federal court order
B. A passport size photograph of the applicant.
C. Name and current mailing address of the applicant.
D. If the applicant is an agent of an individual, company, partnership or corporation, the
name and busses address of the principal.
E. A statement of the type of food, beverages, or merchandise to be sold.
F. Intended locations, days and hours of operation.
G. If the applicant is seeking to operate as a stationary vendor from a fixed location, the
application shall contain the proposed location, marked by major cross streets, and
either the north, south, east or west side of the street, and a photo or sketch of that
location. Applications for roaming sidewalk vendors in residential areas shall contain a
sketch of the proposed route that the vendor will travel.
H. A copy of current San Luis Obispo County health permit(s) if the sidewalk vendor
proposes to sell food or beverages.
I. A sidewalk vendor who sells any type of edible substance or beverage shall provide
evidence of completion of a food handler course and provide a copy of the course
completion certificate.
J. The seller's permit number of a current valid California Department of Tax and Fee
Administration seller's permit.
K. Proof of a current Arroyo Grande business license or application for business license.
L. Evidence of general liability insurance.
M. Certification by the applicant that to his or her knowledge and belief, the information
contained in the application is true and correct.
9.33.060 - LiveScan.
Prior to the issuance of a sidewalk vending permit the applicant shall cause to be filed
with the city police department a LiveScan background check conducted by the
California Department of Justice within the previous six months of application for a
sidewalk vending permit. The city police department shall furnish each applicant with a
LiveScan Request form for use at any LiveScan vendor location.
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9.33.070 - Permit processing fee.
At the time the application or renewal of a sidewalk vending permit is filed with the chief
of police, the applicant shall pay a fee sufficient to cover the cost to the city of
processing the application. The amount of the fee shall be set by resolution of the city
council.
9.33.080 - Permit review and decision.
A. Upon acceptance of a properly filed sidewalk vending permit application and receipt
of an acceptable LiveScan report issued by the Department of Justice, the chief of
police shall conduct a preliminary investigation to determine compliance with this
chapter and shall make such determination within no more than thirty (30) days of
acceptance to approve or deny the application. The chief of police shall provide the
applicant with written notice of his or her decision to the address indicated in the
application.
B. The chief of police may deny an application for a sidewalk vending permit if he or she
makes any of the following findings:
1. The applicant has failed to pay the application permit fee.
2. The applicant has made one or more material misstatements in the application for a
permit.
3. The applicant does not have a city business license and/ or general liability
insurance.
4. The applicant's sidewalk vending operation is inconsistent with the standards,
conditions and requirements of this chapter.
5. The applicant has been found in violation of this chapter at any time during the
previous three-year period.
6. Within three years of the date of the application, the applicant has been convicted in
a court of competent jurisdiction or pled nolo contendere to any misdemeanor or felony
offense which relates directly to the operation of sidewalk vending or any felony offense
involving the sale of a controlled substance specified in California Health and Safety
Code sections 11054, 11055, 11056, 11057 or 11058, or at the time of application is on
probation or parole for any offenses set forth in this section for an offense that was
committed within three years of the date of the application.
C. If the application is denied, the reasons for disapproval shall be noted on the
application, and the applicant shall be notified that his or her application is denied and
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that no permit will be issued. Notice shall be mailed to the applicant at the address
shown on the application form.
D. In approving an application conditions may be imposed on sidewalk vendors,
including but not limited to the following:
1. Stationary vendors. Based upon a review of the fixed location of a stationary
sidewalk vendor's proposed location, as submitted as part of its application, conditions
shall be imposed on the siting of the vendor's pushcart, stand, display, pedal-driven
cart, wagon, showcase, rack, or other non-motorized conveyance to assure it will not
create conflicts with pedestrians, delivery persons, disabled persons, vehicles parked
on adjacent streets, and other uses in the vicinity of the proposed vendor's fixed
location. Such placement of stationary vendor restrictions may include, but not be
limited to, distances from:
a. marked crosswalks
b. curb returns of unmarked crosswalks
c. fire hydrants or other emergency facilities
d. bus stops
e. areas improved with lawn, flowers, shrubs, street trees or other landscaping
f. street furniture, including but not limited to benches, refuse containers, and decorative
pottery
g. driveways or driveway aprons
h. outdoor dining or patio dining areas
i. City owned property without prior City approval
2. Roaming Vendors. Based upon the roaming sidewalk vendor's application and any
proposed route for vending in residential areas, the roaming vendor's activities shall be
conditioned as necessary to protect the health, welfare and safety of the public, and the
public's use of sidewalks along the route.
E. If the chief of police approves the applicant's sidewalk vending permit, he or she shall
endorse his or her approval on the application and shall, upon payment of the
prescribed fee, deliver the sidewalk vending permit to the applicant.
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9.33.090 - Indemnification.
As a condition of issuance of a sidewalk permit, the vendor shall agree to indemnify,
hold harmless, and defend the city and its officials, employees and agents from and
against any and all liability, damage and/or loss arising from activities by the vendor, its
employees and agents.
9.33.100 - Standards, conditions, requirements.
All vendors shall comply with the following standards, conditions and requirements:
A. Location. In addition to locational restrictions imposed on a case-by-case review of
the sidewalk vendor's application, proposed location and/or route, in accordance with
Section 9.33.080(D):
1. No vending shall occur within 500 feet of a freeway entrance or exit or three hundred
(300) feet of the grounds of any public or private school site during school hours, and
not within one hour before or one hour after school drop off and pick up operations.
2. Parks. The following shall apply to vending in parks by sidewalk vendors:
i. As required by Government Code Section 51038(b)(2) sidewalk vendors may
sell food or merchandise in a park owned or operated by the City, except
stationary sidewalk vendors may not conduct vending in any park if the City has
signed an agreement for concessions that exclusively permits the sale of food or
merchandise by the concessionaire in that park.
ii. Sidewalk vendor permits for vendors seeking to operate in a park may include
additional requirements regulating the time, place, and manner of sidewalk
vending activities in a City park thatare:
a. Directly related to objective health, safety, or welfare concerns.
b. Necessary to ensure the public's use and enjoyment of natural
resources and recreational opportunities.
c. Necessary to prevent an undue concentration of commercial
activity that unreasonably interferes with the scenic and natural
character of the park.
3. Stationary sidewalk vendors are prohibited from operating in areas that are zoned
exclusively residential.
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4. Sidewalk vendors are prohibited from operating in areas located within the immediate
vicinity of a permitted certified farmers' market during the limited operating hours of that
certified farmers' market.
5. Sidewalk vendors are prohibited form operating in areas located within the immediate
vicinity of a permitted swap meet during the limited operating hours of that swap meet.
6. Sidewalk vendors are prohibited from operating within the immediate vicinity of an
area designated for a temporary special event or activity permit for special events,
parades concerts and other activities issued by the City, including but not limited to the
annual Strawberry Festival, Harvest Festival, Trick or Treat in the Village event, and
Christmas Parade. If the City provides any notice, business interruption mitigation, or
other rights provided to affected businesses or property owners affected by the special
event, such notice, business interruption mitigation, or other rights shall also be
provided to any sidewalk vendors specifically permitted to operate in the area, if
applicable. The prohibition of sidewalk vendors pursuant to this paragraph shall only be
effective for the limited duration of the temporary special permit.
B. Design and Operating Standards:
1. Condition/appearance of site:
a. The vendor shall maintain the area within which vending activities occur in a clean,
safe and sanitary condition;
b. No tables, chairs, fences, shade structures, other site furniture, or any freestanding
signs shall be permitted in conjunction with the vendors vending activities;
c. The vendor shall not attach or use any water lines, electrical lines or gas lines during
vending operation; and
d. Food vendors must provide a trash receptacle for customers and must ensure proper
disposal of customer trash. The trash receptacle must be of a sufficient size to
accommodate customer trash without resort to use of existing City provided trash
receptacles located on any block for use by the general public. A vendor may not
dispose of customer trash in existing trash City provided receptacles.
2. Condition/appearance of vending pushcart, stand, display, pedal-driven cart, wagon,
showcase, rack or other non-motorized conveyance used for vending:
a. The vendor shall display, in plain view and at all times, current permits and licenses
in or on their vending pushcart, stand, display, pedal-driven cart, wagon, showcase,
rack, or non-motorized conveyance.;
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b. Any vending pushcart, stand, display, pedal-driven cart, wagon, showcase, rack, or
non-motorized conveyance shall be clean and in good repair;
c. The vendor shall not discharge items from any vending pushcart, stand, display,
pedal-driven cart, wagon, showcase, rack, or non-motorized conveyance onto the
sidewalk, gutter, storm inlets, or streets; and
d. The width, length, and height of all vending pushcart, stand, display, pedal-driven
cart, wagon, showcase, rack, or non-motorized conveyance shall be subject to review
as part of consideration of the sidewalk vending permit as it may relate to health, safety
and welfare concerns.
3. All activities shall comply with the city's noise ordinance.
4. Lighting: Stationary sidewalk vendors who operate after daylight hours shall provide
adequate lighting that may be necessary to ensure customer safety. Lighting shall be
directed downwards and away from adjacent properties.
5. Obstructions, hazards: No sidewalk vendor shall conduct its operations in a manner
that would obstruct vehicular traffic, bicycle traffic, sidewalk pedestrian traffic, or
accessibility to vehicles parked adjacent to a curb, and shall not create public health or
safety hazards.
6. Roaming vendors vending in residential areas shall move continuously, except when
conducting a sale, which must last no more than fifteen (15) minutes. In no event shall
a roaming vendor conduct its operations in a residential area in such a manner to
constitute operating in a fixed location.
7. No vending pushcart, stand, display, pedal-driven cart, wagon, showcase, rack or
other nonmotorized conveyance shall be chained or fastened to any pole, sign, tree or
other object in the public right-of-way or left unattended.
8. Vending of illegal or counterfeit merchandise is prohibited.
9. No sidewalk vendor shall conduct its operations or place its vending pushcart, stand,
display, pedal-driven cart, wagon, showcase, rack or other nonmotorized conveyance in
such a manner that it impedes the flow of pedestrian traffic by reducing the clear space
to less to less than six (6) feet, or impedes access to or use of abutting property,
including but not limited to residences and places of business.
10. Sidewalk vendors shall comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of
1999 and other applicable disability access standards.
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PAGE 17
11. Other applicable regulations: Each vendor shall comply at all times with all
applicable federal, state, county, city and any other governmental requirements.
Notwithstanding any specific provisions or prohibitions contained in this Chapter, no
vendor shall install, use, or maintain a vending pushcart, stand, display, pedal-driven
cart, wagon, showcase, rack or other nonmotorized conveyance in such a manner that
its placement endangers the safety of persons or property.
12. To prevent unintended rolling or slipping, a sidewalk vendor is prohibited from
operating a pushcart, pedal-driven cart, wagon, or other non-motorized conveyance on
a public right-of-way with a slope greater than five percent.
13. Sidewalk vending hours' limitations in areas zoned for nonresidential use will be as
restrictive as any limitations on hours of operations imposed on other businesses or
• uses on the same street. Vending by roaming sidewalk vendors in residential areas
shall be limited to the hours of 9:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m.
14. The overall number of sidewalk vendors permitted to operate within the City or
specified areas of the City may be limited on a case by case basis, based upon specific
facts related to the operations of sidewalk vendors in the City or area that relate to
objective health, safety, or welfare concerns. An overconcentration will be found to
exist where based, upon objective facts and circumstances, the number of sidewalk
vendors unreasonably interferes with the public's ability to enjoy outdoor spaces or
unreasonably interferes with the unique character of the area.
9.33.110 - Denials, suspension, revocation, requests for additional information.
A. A sidewalk vending permit issued under this chapter may be suspended or revoked
by the chief of police for any of the following causes:
1. Fraud or misrepresentation in the application for the mobile vending permit;
2. Vending in violation of this chapter; or
3. Vending in a manner that creates a public nuisance or constitutes a danger to the
public.
9.33.120 -Appeals to city manager or his or her designee.
In the event that any applicant or permittee desires to appeal from any order, revocation
or other ruling of the chief of police or any other official of the city, made under the
provisions of this chapter, such applicant or any other person aggrieved shall have the
right to appeal such action or decision to the city manager, or his or her designee, within
fifteen (15) days after the notice of the action or decision has been mailed to the
person's address as shown on the permit application. An appeal shall be taken by filing
ORDINANCE NO. 698
PAGE 18.
with the police department a written appeal statement setting forth the grounds for the
appeal. The chief of police shall transmit the written statement to the city manager
within ten (10) days of its filing and the city manager shall set a time and place for a
hearing on appeal. A hearing shall be set not later than sixty (60) days from the date of
filing of the applicant's written appeal statement with the police department. Notice of
the time and place of the hearing shall be given to the appellant in the same manner as
provided for the mailing of notice of suspension or revocation. The decision of the city
manager, or his or her designee, on the appeal shall be final and binding on all parties
concerned.
9.33.130 - Violations.
In accordance with the requirements of Government Code Section 51039 a violation of
this chapter is punishable as follows:
A. An administrative fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100) for a first
violation.
B. An administrative fine not exceeding two hundred dollars ($200) for a second
violation within one year of the first violation.
C. An administrative fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500) for each
additional violation within one year of the first violation.
D. The permit issued to a sidewalk vendor pursuant to this chapter may be
rescinded for the term of that permit upon the fourth violation or subsequent
violations.
E. Vending without a sidewalk vending permit shall be punishable by the following in
lieu of the administrative fines set forth in sections A-D above:
1. An administrative fine not exceeding two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for a first
violation.
2. An administrative fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500) for a second
violation within one year of the first violation.
3. An administrative fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each
additional violation within one year of the first violation.
ORDINANCE NO. 698
PAGE 19
F. Administrative fines shall be processed in accordance with the requirements of
Government Code Section 51039 with regards to possible reductions and the
deposit of proceeds.
G. When assessing an administrative fine pursuant to this section, consideration
shall be taken of the person's ability to pay the fine. The local authority shall
provide the person with notice of his or her right to request an ability-to-pay
determination and shall make available instructions or other materials for
requesting an ability-to-pay determination.
The person may request an ability-to-pay determination at adjudication or while
the judgment remains unpaid, including when a case is delinquent or has been
referred to a comprehensive collection program. If the person meets the criteria
described in subdivision (a) or (b) of Government Section 68632, the local
authority shall accept, in full satisfaction, 20 percent of the administrative fine
imposed pursuant to subdivision (a).
H. Persons subject to fines under this section may complete community service in
lieu of paying the total administrative fine, and the City may waive the
administrative fine, or may offer an alternative disposition.
9.33.140 - Administrative Hearing—Procedures
A. An administrative appeal hearing shall be scheduled and conducted within sixty
calendar days of the date a timely and complete request is received by the office of the
city clerk by any person who is assessed an administrative fine under this Chapter. A
person who files a request for an administrative hearing to contest an administrative fine
(hereinafter, "appellant") shall be notified in writing by first class mail of the date, time,
and location of the hearing at least ten calendar days prior to the date of the hearing.
The failure of an appellant to receive a properly addressed notice shall not invalidate the
citation or any hearing or City action or proceeding conducted pursuant to this Chapter.
B. A hearing officer shall be appointed by the City Manager to serve as the hearing
officer for an administrative hearing. The hearing officer may be a department head, or
his or her designee, or other disinterested person. The employment, performance
evaluation, compensation and benefits of the hearing officer, if any, shall not be directly
or indirectly conditioned upon the determinations or the amount of penalties upheld or
made by the hearing officer.
At the place and time set forth in the notification of administrative hearing, the hearing
officer shall hear and consider the testimony of the issuing officer, the appellant(s),
ORDINANCE NO. 698
PAGE 20
and/or their witnesses, as well as any documentary evidence presented by these
persons concerning the alleged violation(s).
C. Administrative hearings are informal, and formal rules of evidence and discovery do
not apply. The City bears the burden of proof to establish a violation and responsibility
therefor by a preponderance of evidence. The issuance of allegations of violations of
this Chapter shall constitute prima facie evidence of the violation and the enforcement
officer who issued allegation is not required to attend or participate at the hearing. The
appellant(s), and officer, if present, shall have an opportunity to present evidence and
witnesses and to cross-examine witnesses. An appellant may bring an interpreter to the
hearing at the appellant's sole expense. The hearing officer may question any person
who presents evidence or who testifies at any hearing.
D. An appellant may appear at the hearing in person or by written declaration executed
under penalty of perjury. Said declaration and any documents in support thereof shall
be tendered to and received by the office of the City Clerk at least three City business
days prior to the hearing. If the appellant fails to attend the scheduled hearing, or to
otherwise submit a written declaration in a timely manner, the hearing officer shall
cancel the hearing and send a notice thereof to the appellant(s) by first class mail to the
address(es) stated on the appeal form. A cancellation of a hearing due to
nonappearance of the appellant shall constitute the appellant's waiver of the right to
appeal. In such instances, the imposition of the administrative fine shall be deemed
final.
E. Hearings may be continued once at the request of an appellant or the officer who
issued the citation. The hearing officer may also continue the hearing for cause.
9.33.150 - Hearing Officer Decision—Right of Appeal Therefrom
A. After considering all of the testimony and evidence submitted at the hearing, the
hearing officer shall issue a written decision to uphold or overturn the administrative fine
and shall state the reasons therefor. If the administrative fine is upheld and the violation
has not been fully corrected as of the date of the hearing, the hearing officer shall order
correction thereof in the decision and provide a deadline to complete said action(s). The
decision of the hearing officer shall be final, except for the right to appeal to the Superior
Court pursuant to Government Code Section 53069.4 as further provided herein. If the
administrative fine is upheld and the appellant did not deposit the fine at the time the
appellant requested an administrative appeal hearing, the hearing officer shall also
order the payment of the fine or an alternative disposition in accordance with Section
9.33.130, within twenty calendar days of the decision.
ORDINANCE NO. 698
PAGE 21
B. The appellant(s) shall be served by first class mail with a copy of the hearing
officer's written decision. The date the decision is deposited with the U.S. Postal Service
shall constitute the date of its service. The failure of an appellant to receive a properly
addressed decision shall not invalidate any citation(s) or any hearing, City action or
proceeding conducted pursuant to this chapter.
C. Decisions of the hearing officer are, in accordance with Government Code Section
53069.4(b), appealable to the Superior Court within twenty days after the date of their
service. Each decision shall contain a statement advising the appellant(s) of this appeal
right and the procedures and court-filing fee for its exercise. An appellant shall serve a
copy of the court filed notice of appeal on the office of the City Clerk, by personal
service or first class mail within five calendar days of filing the original thereof.
D. If a hearing officer's decision is not appealed in a timely manner, the decision shall
be deemed confirmed.
E. The Superior Court is the sole reviewing authority and an appeal from a hearing
officer's decision is not appealable to the City Council. If a responsible person prevails
on appeal, the City shall reimburse his or her filing fee, as well as the fine deposit in
accordance with the court judgment. These monies shall be mailed to the responsible
person within forty-five calendar days of the City's receipt of a notice of judgment or
ruling from the Superior Court clerk.
SECTION 4. This Ordinance is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines
Section 15061(b)(3) which is the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which
have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment and CEQA does
not apply where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity
may have a significant effect on the environment.
SECTION 5. A summary of this Ordinance shall be published in a newspaper published
and circulated in the City of Arroyo Grande at least five (5) days prior to the City Council
meeting at which the proposed Ordinance is to be adopted. A certified copy of the full
text of the proposed Ordinance shall be posted in the office of the City Clerk. Within
fifteen (15) days after adoption of the Ordinance, the summary with the names of those
City Council members voting for and against the Ordinance shall be published again,
and the City Clerk shall post a certified copy of the full text of such adopted Ordinance.
This Ordinance shall take effect and be in full force and effect thirty (30) days after its
passage.
SECTION 6. This Ordinance shall take effect and be in full force and effect thirty (30)
days after its passage.
SECTION 7. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Ordinance is
for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of any court of
ORDINANCE NO. 698
PAGE 22
competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining
portions of this Ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed
this Ordinance and each and every section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase not
declared invalid or unconstitutional without regard to whether any portion of the
ordinance would be subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional.
On motion by Council Member Barneich, seconded by Council Member George, and by
the following roll call vote to wit:
AYES: Council Members Barneich, George, Paulding, Storton, and Mayor Ray Russom
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
the foregoing Ordinance was adopted this 12th day of February, 2019.
ORDINANCE NO. 698
PAGE 23
CAREN RAY - d SSOM, MAYOR
ATTEST:
KELLY ET O E, CI CLERK
APPROV D AS TO CONTENT:
ah,
JIM Nyir Y MANAGER
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
H ATHER K. WHITHAM, CITY ATTORNEY
OFFICIAL CERTIFICATION
I, KELLY WETMORE, City Clerk of the City of Arroyo Grande, County of San
Luis Obispo, State of California, do hereby certify under penalty of perjury, that
the attached Ordinance No. 698 which was introduced at a regular meeting of the
City Council on January 22, 2019; was passed and adopted at a regular meeting
of the City Council on the 12th day of February 2019; and was duly published in
accordance with State law (G.C. 40806).
WITNESS my hand and the Seal of the City of Arroyo Grande affixed this 20th
day of February 2019.
KELLY ET RE, CITY CLERK